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Retardant vs Tardy - What's the difference?

retardant | tardy |

As adjectives the difference between retardant and tardy

is that retardant is (often|in combination) serving to retard (slow down) the action of something while tardy is late; overdue or delayed.

As nouns the difference between retardant and tardy

is that retardant is (often|in combination) something that serves to retard (slow down) the action of something while tardy is (us) a piece of paper given to students who are late to class.

As a verb tardy is

(obsolete|transitive) to make tardy.

retardant

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (often, in combination) Serving to retard (slow down) the action of something

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • (often, in combination) Something that serves to retard (slow down) the action of something

    • Derived terms

    * flame retardant ----

    tardy

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Late; overdue or delayed.
    • He yawned, then raised a tardy hand over his mouth.
  • ineffectual; slow-witted, slow to act, or dullard.
    • His tardy performance bordered on incompetence.
  • Moving with a slow pace or motion; not swift.
  • * Sandys
    • Check the tardy flight of time.
  • * Prior
    • tardy to vengeance, and with mercy brave
  • (obsolete) Unwary; unready.
    • (Hudibras)
  • (obsolete) Criminal; guilty.
    • (Collier)

    Synonyms

    * (l), (l)

    Usage notes

    * The term suggests habitual lateness. * Somewhat dated in the United Kingdom.

    Noun

    (tardies)
  • (US) A piece of paper given to students who are late to class.
    • The teacher gave her a tardy because she did not come into the classroom until after the bell.

    See also

    * tardy slip

    Verb

  • (obsolete) To make tardy.
    • (Shakespeare)