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Laggard vs Dilatory - What's the difference?

laggard | dilatory |

As adjectives the difference between laggard and dilatory

is that laggard is hanging back; loitering while dilatory is intentionally delaying (someone or something), intended to cause delay, gain time, or defer decision.

As a noun laggard

is one who lags behind and takes more time than is necessary.

laggard

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Hanging back; loitering.
  • * 1752 , Francis Gentleman and Ben Jonson, Sejanus, A Tragedy , act 5, scene 1, page 54–55:
    • But come let's wing our Steps with utmost Speed,
    The swiftest Haste is laggard to the Deed.
  • * 1931 , William Faulkner, Sanctuary , Vintage 1993, p. 66:
    • Between blinks Tommy saw Temple in the path, her body slender and motionless for a moment as though waiting for some laggard part to catch up.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who lags behind and takes more time than is necessary.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    dilatory

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Intentionally delaying (someone or something), intended to cause delay, gain time, or defer decision.
    • a dilatory strategy
  • * Motley
    • Alva, as usual, brought his dilatory policy to bear upon his adversary.
  • Slow or tardy.

    • Derived terms

    * dilatorily * dilatoriness

    Anagrams

    * adroitly * idolatry