Belated -- Gretchen's Birthday Word

be·lat·ed (b-ltd) adj. Having been delayed; done or sent too late: a belated birthday card. [be- + lated.] be·lated·ly adv. be·lated·ness n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

 

Auntie Mary got Gretchen's birthday mixed up with the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, so she sends this birthday word belatedly. Happy belated birthday, Gretchen!