Spell Bee Word: Delay

What does delay mean?

Word: Delay

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: Delay means to make someone or something late, or to wait until a later time to do something. As a noun, a delay is the time lost by waiting.

Synonyms: hold up

How do you spell delay?

Syllables: de - lay

Tricky part: The opening vowel is said quickly and sounds like a short i, so children often write dilay.

Watch out for: dilay, deelay

Memory tip: A delay can make you miss a deadline, and both words start the same way.

Delay in a sentence

Example 1: Heavy rain caused a delay at the airport.

Example 2: Please do not delay sending the form.

Example 3: The match began after a short delay.

Fun Fact

Trains in Japan run so closely to time that stations may hand out a delay certificate, a slip to show a school or office when a train runs late.

Practise the CREST Way

Word Cookie

Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:

de_a_

a) l, i
b) l, e
c) l, y
d) r, y

Spell-o-Spell

Choose the incorrectly spelt word:

a) platform
b) delay
c) arrivel
d) timetable

Word Connection

Choose the synonym of the word:

delay

a) hurry
b) arrive
c) finish
d) postpone

Mingle-Mangle

Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:

aeydl

a) dealy
b) delya
c) deyal
d) delay

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The train was delayed by two hours. What happened to the passengers?

a) They took a plane home instead
b) They reached home much sooner than planned
c) They reached home later than planned
d) They stayed at home for the whole day

2. What should you do if you are told not to delay your homework?

a) give it to a friend
b) leave it till next week
c) start it straight away
d) hide it in your bag