French word

retardataire

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁətaʁdatɛʁ/

Meaning

  • noun (m./f.)latecomer

Example

Le retardataire a raté le début du cours.

The latecomer missed the beginning of the class.

Illustration for retardataire (latecomer)

More examples

À la réunion, la liste des retardataires a été lue.

At the meeting, the list of latecomers was read.

Core concept

A person entering after everyone else because the appointed time has already passed.

Common phrases

  • liste des retardataires

    list of latecomers

  • les retardataires habituels

    the usual latecomers

Similar words

personne en retard: A person who arrives after the scheduled time.

Definition in French

Désigne une personne qui, ponctuellement ou habituellement, arrive après l'heure annoncée.

Word origin

Retardataire is a French derivation from retard and the person-denoting suffix -ataire, with retard inherited through Old French from Latin retardare.

Usage tips

  • Calling someone retardataire can sound pointed, so neutral descriptions often use la personne qui est en retard instead.

Opposites

  • personne ponctuellepunctual personnoun
  • personne à l'heureperson who is on timenoun

Related words

  • retarddelaynoun
  • retardédelayedadjective

Word lists with this word