BEHINDHAND

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does behindhand mean? 

• BEHINDHAND (adjective)
  The adjective BEHINDHAND has 1 sense:

1. behind schedule

  Familiarity information: BEHINDHAND used as an adjective is very rare.

• BEHINDHAND (adverb)
  The adverb BEHINDHAND has 1 sense:

1. in debt

  Familiarity information: BEHINDHAND used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BEHINDHAND (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Behind schedule

Context example:

was behindhand with the rent

Similar:

unpunctual (not punctual; after the appointed time)

• BEHINDHAND (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In debt

Synonyms:

behind; behindhand; in arrears

Context example:

in arrears with their utility bills

 Context examples 

“Well, then, Lady Bertram, suppose you speak for tea directly; suppose you hurry Baddeley a little; he seems behindhand to-night.”

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Can you think your friend behindhand in these sort of considerations?

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Her days were spent in a kind of slow bustle; all was busy without getting on, always behindhand and lamenting it, without altering her ways; wishing to be an economist, without contrivance or regularity; dissatisfied with her servants, without skill to make them better, and whether helping, or reprimanding, or indulging them, without any power of engaging their respect.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

But you are miserably behindhand.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

She knew that Mr. Yates was in general thought to rant dreadfully; that Mr. Yates was disappointed in Henry Crawford; that Tom Bertram spoke so quick he would be unintelligible; that Mrs. Grant spoiled everything by laughing; that Edmund was behindhand with his part, and that it was misery to have anything to do with Mr. Rushworth, who was wanting a prompter through every speech.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)