Reading Theme:
Flight Delay: Definition, Causes, and Examples
Meaning 1：postponed departure (flight delay)
flight delay
/flaɪt dɪˈleɪ/
n. phrase
When a flight takes off or arrives later than scheduled.
postponed departure
➕
/poʊstˈpoʊnd dɪˈpɑːrtʃər/
n. phrase
A situation where a scheduled flight takes off or lands later than the planned time, often due to weather, technical issues, or air traffic.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
'Flight' (Old English 'flyht') + 'delay' (Old French 'delaiier', de- + laier 'to leave').
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a clock on a runway sliding backward as your plane waits. 'Flight delay' = 'fly late'.
📖 Example
Due to heavy rain, our flight delay lasted two hours, so we had extra time at the airport cafe.
Due to heavy rain, our flight delay lasted two hours, so we had extra time at the airport cafe.
🔗 Collocations
experience a flight delay – To go through a postponement of a scheduled flight.
due to a flight delay – Because of the postponement of a flight.
compensated for flight delay – Given money or vouchers because of a delayed flight.
🔄 Synonyms
delay in departure (n. phrase) – A postponement of the planned takeoff time.
late flight (n. phrase) – A flight that departs or arrives after the scheduled time.
flight postponement (n. phrase) – The act of putting off a flight to a later time.
🚫 Antonyms
on-time departure (n. phrase) – A flight that leaves exactly as scheduled.
punctual flight (n. phrase) – A flight that arrives or departs at the expected time.
early arrival (n. phrase) – A flight that lands before the scheduled time.
🌱 Derivatives
flight delays (n. phrase (plural)) – Multiple instances of flights being postponed.
delayed flight (n. phrase) – A flight that has been postponed.
📖 Cultural Story
Flight delay is a common term in aviation. Before modern air travel, delays existed but weren't labeled. Today, it's a key metric for airlines and a frequent source of passenger frustration.
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser