French Conversation · Level 118
59 words
French word
délai
Pronunciation
IPA/delɛ/
Meaning
- masculine noundeadline
Example
Le délai pour répondre est de trois jours.
The deadline for responding is three days.
More examples
Le délai de livraison est estimé à deux semaines.
The delivery time is estimated at two weeks.
Core concept
A clock marks a permitted interval before a fixed cutoff, with each passing moment reducing the time left.
Common phrases
un délai de livraison
delivery time
un délai de paiement
payment deadline
un délai de réponse
response deadline
Similar words
échéance: The date when a payment or submission is due.
temps imparti: A limited amount of time assigned to complete a task.
date: The specific day when an event takes place.
Definition in French
Temps accordé pour effectuer une action ou donner une réponse; notion de limite temporelle souvent fixée à l'avance.
Word origin
The noun délai developed in Old French from delayer, which derives from Latin dilatare and carries the idea of prolonging or extending.
Usage tips
- Dans un délai de trois jours means within three days, while un délai de trois jours names a three-day period.
Other meanings
- periodnoun
- grace periodnoun
- delaynoun
Opposites
- urgenceurgencynoun
- immédiatetéimmediacynoun