We all know someone who can’t get their act together and make it to occasions on time. It can be frustrating, but sometimes, it’s one of the things we find hilarious and endearing about them!
So, if you’re wondering what to call someone who is always late, we’ve compiled the perfect list for you below!
Words for Someone Who Is Always Late
- Tidsoptimist
- Dawdler
- Flake
- Faffer
- Lollygagger
- Dallier
- Tardy
- Unpunctual
- Flighty
- Procrastinator
- Behindhand
- Lax
- Dilatory
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- A “tidsoptimist” is a funny new word for a person who is always late due to perpetual optimism.
- When someone moves so slowly and idly that they always end up late, you can call them a “dawdler.”
- If someone is unreliable because of how frequently they arrive late or not at all, you can call them a “flake.”
Stick around! In the next section, we’ll discuss our top three funny nicknames for a person who is always late in greater detail.
Moreover, we’ll provide some example sentences using each of these words!
Tidsoptimist
“Tidsoptimist” is a great, newly-coined word for someone who is never on time. Why are they never on time? Well, because they’re just far too optimistic!
The Collins Dictionary defines a “tidsoptimist” as “a person who’s habitually late because they think they have more time than they do.” Thus, this term hints at the personality of someone who is always late.
The word “habitually” in this definition makes it clear that this term would not suit a person who is late on a single occasion. Rather, their lateness must be something they are known for.
This word has Swedish origins and hasn’t quite been accepted into the English vernacular just yet. However, we’d say it should be, and the best way to popularise a word is to use it!
Therefore, let’s look at a few example sentences making use of this phrase:
Rey is an incorrigible tidsoptimist, so I always tell him to arrive an hour earlier than he needs to.
My worst quality is that I’m a tidsoptimist, but I’m always really happy and optimistic while I’m running late!
Dawdler
“Dawdler” is another funny word for a person who is always late.
Merriam-Webster defines a “dawdler” as “someone who moves slowly or more slowly than others.” Moreover, “dawdle” is defined as “to spend time idly” or “to move lackadaisically.”
If you’ve ever been ready to go but had to watch a friend complete a very slow getting-dressed ritual, which included trying on several outfits and perhaps making a sandwich along the way, you know the frustration of waiting up for a “dawdler”!
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with taking your time and stopping to smell the roses. In fact, it can be a good thing!
However, when you’re running late or on a tight schedule, there is no greater frustration than waiting for someone who simply lacks the required urgency.
Consider the examples below to see what we mean:
I love your mother, but she’s a terrible dawdler, so you’re better off going now and letting her catch up in her own time.
Quit being such a dawdler, Shane, the plane isn’t going to wait for us!
Flake
If you know someone who is constantly late and generally unreliable, you can call them a “flake.”
Merriam-Webster defines a “flake” as “a person who is flaky.” “Flaky” can be considered slang for being late all the time. After all, Merriam-Webster defines this term as meaning “not reliable in performance or behavior.”
In other words, you simply can’t trust a “flake” to follow through with plans or arrive on time.
This term goes beyond someone who is not punctual and refers to a general tendency to let people down.
However, a person who is constantly late would probably be considered a “flake” as well.
After all, if the only thing you can rely on is that they’ll probably miss your plans or arrive ages too late, they’re a very flaky friend indeed!
Check out the following sentences to see this term in action:
I’ve stopped inviting Archie along; he’s just a total flake.
I’m sorry to be such a flake, but I genuinely have no time management skills.