French Conversation · Level 94
58 words
French word
retarder
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁətaʁde/
Meaning
- verbdelay
Example
Le retard du train va retarder ma réunion.
The train's delay will delay my meeting.
More examples
La pluie va retarder le match.
The rain will delay the match.
Core concept
A scheduled event is moved farther along the timeline, or its progress is made slower.
Common phrases
retarder le départ
delay the departure
retarder la décision
delay the decision
retarder un rendez-vous
delay an appointment
Similar words
repousser: To postpone a scheduled date so the activity takes place later.
remettre: To put an action or deadline off until a later time.
ralentir: To slow the speed of movement or the pace of progress.
tarder: To take longer than expected to start or arrive.
Definition in French
Provoquer que quelque chose ait lieu plus tard que prévu ou ralentir son déroulement.
Word origin
French retarder comes from Latin retardare, formed with re- and tardare, which derives from tardus, meaning 'slow'.
Usage tips
- Retarder usually takes a direct object, as in retarder une réunion, while tarder describes taking time or being slow to act.
Other meanings
- postponeverb
Related words
- retarddelaynoun
- retardédelayedadjective
- retardatairelatecomernoun