ENGLISH
REFERENCE

overdue

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈoʊvɝˈdu// UK //ˌəʊvədjˈuː// over·due

adj. not finished or paid by the time it was supposed to be. You use this for things like library books, bills, or even a baby that hasn't been born yet.

adj. unpaid, unfinished, or not yet arrived after the scheduled or expected time. Often used to describe financial obligations, library materials, or events that are perceived as being late.


SIMPLE

The library book is overdue by two weeks.

CONTEXTUAL

I received a final notice in the mail today because my electricity bill is seriously overdue.

COMPLEX

While the reforms were technically overdue by several decades, the sudden implementation caused significant friction among the older members of the administrative staff.

Synonyms
Origin

From over- + due.

Usage

Typically used predicatively after 'be' or 'become', but also functions attributively before a noun.

Pitfall

The bill is overduedThe bill is overdueLearners often add '-ed' because they treat it as a past participle, but 'overdue' is a standalone adjective.

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