"Overdue" is the most common word for a payment that is late or behind schedule. Other terms include "in arrears" (unpaid debt/missed payments), "outstanding" (unpaid but not yet past the deadline), "past due" (unpaid after the due date), and "deferred" (intentionally postponed).
[dih-leyd] / dɪˈleɪd / ADJECTIVE. held up. deferred postponed slowed.
Synonyms of delay
I'm writing to you today regarding Invoice [Invoice Number], which is now [Number of Days] days overdue. The original invoice was sent on [Date], and the due date was [Due Date]. The total amount outstanding is [Amount Due]. I understand that unforeseen circumstances can sometimes delay payment.
A late fee, also known as an overdue fine, late fine, or past due fee, is a charge fined against a client by a company or organization for not paying a bill or returning a rented or borrowed item by its due date.
Delayed payment means paying a bill after its due date. It usually happens when a client doesn't pay an invoice on time, either because of internal delays, financial problems, or other issues. This slows down cash flow and can cause problems for the company waiting to get paid.
When explaining a delay in payment, honesty and transparency are key. Begin by acknowledging the missed deadline and express your commitment to resolving the situation. Clearly state the reason for the delay, whether it's a financial discrepancy, processing error, or unforeseen circumstances.
To politely ask for late payment, send a friendly, factual reminder email the day after the due date, including the invoice number, amount, and a link to the original invoice, keeping a helpful tone and offering assistance for any questions or issues, while gently escalating firmness with subsequent reminders if needed, but always maintaining professionalism and offering payment options.
To professionally say "delay," use phrases like "I apologize for the delay," "running behind schedule," "postponed," or "deferred," often paired with a brief reason and a solution (e.g., "running behind schedule, I'll provide an update by 2 PM") to show responsibility and proactive management, not just an apology. Frame it with gratitude, like "Thank you for your patience," and focus on next steps, like providing a new timeline or solution.
"delay" Example Sentences
Due to an incident on the runway, there will be a two-hour delay on all flights. The snowstorm caused delays for thousands of commuters. Shipping delays have led to a halt in production. An undersupply of steel has caused massive construction delays.
Idioms and Phrases
Put off until tomorrow: To delay something until the next day or a later time. Example: "I often put off my homework until tomorrow because I want to play outside first."
break, intermission, interruption, pause, suspension. a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something. noun. the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time. synonyms: holdup.
In finance, arrears (or arrearage) is a legal term for the part of a debt that is overdue after missing one or more required payments. The amount of the arrears is the amount accrued from the date on which the first missed payment was due.
“We haven't received your invoice”
Or you can ask your client to send you an email acknowledgement upon receipt of your invoice. Either way, you'll have time to re-send your invoice, if necessary. You can also send a reminder email to your client one week before your invoice is due for payment.
Dear [Name], This is a friendly reminder that we haven't received payment for invoice [Invoice Number]. The payment was due on [Due Date]. We're not aware of any outstanding issues or reasons for non-payment, so we would like to respectfully ask you to make payment as soon as possible.
Synonyms of 'delay' in American English
Common synonyms for "due to" include because of, owing to, on account of, as a result of, attributable to, and thanks to, all indicating a cause or reason, with simpler options like since, given, or through also working in many contexts.
Often, 'because' or 'because of' should be used instead. If you could substitute 'attributable to', 'caused by' or 'resulting from' for 'due to' in your sentence, then you have probably used 'due to' correctly. It modifies nouns and is usually preceded by the verb 'to be' in one form or another.
Synonyms of 'deadline' in American English