overdueo‧ver‧due /ˌəʊvəˈdjuː◂ $ ˌoʊvərˈduː◂/ ●○○ adjective 
an overdue gas bill The library books are overdue. The baby was a week overdue (=it was expected to be born a week ago).► see thesaurus at late2something that is overdue should have happened or been done a long time agooverdue for He was overdue for a shave. We welcome this announcement and think it’s long overdue.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- overdue mortgage payments
- Collette's baby is already two weeks overdue.
- I must take these books back to the library - they're overdue.
- The rent's three weeks overdue.
- It is clear this system is out of control and that comprehensive reforms are long overdue.
- She has to deliver her disgracefully overdue copy to Outsider.
- Tea-time temptress Jenny Hanley: is a comeback overdue?
- The National Governors' Association endorsed the final bill, and many governors praised the welfare changes as long overdue.
- These works are long overdue for revival in major surroundings and von Otter puts forth an impressive case for their exhumation.
- Track renewals are also becoming overdue, with a succession of speed restrictions because of the condition of parts of the line.
- We would like to encourage you to participate in this exciting and overdue development.
THESAURUS
arriving or happening after the time that was expected or arranged: · Sorry I’m late.· The bus was late.· Spring seems to be very late this year.
not arriving or doing something at the time that was expected or arranged: · He never hands his homework in on time.· If we don’t leave on time, we’ll miss the flight.
not done or happening by the expected time – used especially about payments that are late or library books that should have been returned: · Your rent is three weeks overdue.· I had to pay a £3 fine on some overdue library books.
British English, be behind on something American English to be late in doing something that you have to do: · I can’t come out because I’m behind with my English essay.
to be made late for a meeting, appointment etc by something that happens, especially by bad traffic: · I was held up by a traffic jam.
to be prevented from arriving, leaving, or happening at the expected time – often used about public transport: · The flight was delayed by bad weather.
given or done late – used especially about something that someone has forgotten or failed to do: · a belated birthday card· I’m still hoping for a belated apology from him.
especially American English formal arriving or happening late: · a habitually tardy person· a tardy decision
formal to have not made one or more regular payments at the time when you should: · One in eight mortgage payers are in arrears.
Longman Language Activatorwhat you say when someone or something is late · The meeting started late.· There are severe penalties for late payment of bills.15 minutes/3 days etc late · Tony handed in his homework a day late.
use this about payments that should have been made or library books that should have been returned before now: · I must take these books back to the library - they're overdue.three weeks/two months etc overdue: · The rent's three weeks overdue.
to have not made one or more regular payments at the time when you should: · Jim's worried because he's behind with his loan repayments.be two months etc behind with something: · You're two months behind with the rent.get/fall behind with something (=start to make payments late): · I'm getting behind with the mortgage and I don't know how I'm going to pay it.· Even when people fall behind with their payments, they continue to take on financial commitments.
to have not made one or more regular payments at the time when you should: · In some areas, two out of three tenants are in arrears.be in arrears with: · Many countries are in arrears with their contributions.be two months etc in arrears: · Over 60,000 Londoners are more than three months in arrears with their mortgage repayments.get/fall into arrears: · The tax bills are sent out annually, so it's very easy for small employers to fall into arrears.
done or given later than it should have been, usually with the result that it does not have the effect that it should have: · John made a belated attempt to apologize.· I got a belated birthday card from my cousin yesterday.· her belated realisation that he was in love with someone else
spoken use this when someone arrives somewhere late: · You're late! Hurry up and get your books out and get on with your work.· You're late again, Chris! You'll be in trouble if you don't get your act together soon.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY We welcome this announcement and think it’s long overdue.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Reform of the law is long overdue.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
1not done, paid, returned etc by the time expected: We welcome this announcement and think it’s long overdue. Reform of the law is long overdue.· A visit from Mrs Brocklebank was long overdue.· It is clear this system is out of control and that comprehensive reforms are long overdue.· We are long overdue for a complete overhaul of the mathematics curriculum at all levels.· Again, these changes were long overdue and were welcomed by all reasonable people and organizations.· Then again, she was long overdue to write to her sister in Wisconsin.· The environmental movement is long overdue for some seri-ous soul searching and reconciliation with reality.· The changes now taking place in your life are long overdue and positive.· It was long overdue, but they were merely the first of several ecosocial Nobel Laureates.
an overdue gas bill The library books are overdue. The baby was a week overdue (=it was expected to be born a week ago).► see thesaurus at late2something that is overdue should have happened or been done a long time agooverdue for He was overdue for a shave. We welcome this announcement and think it’s long overdue.