délai

deadline, time limit

noun deh-LEH Less Common

Origin: Old French

Also means

delay, period

Usage Note

délai does NOT mean 'delay' as in a holdup — it means the allotted time to do something. Dans les meilleurs délais means 'as soon as possible'. Confusing délai with English 'delay' is a very common false-friend error for English speakers.

Examples

"Vous devez rendre le rapport dans un délai de cinq jours."

Natural Translation

You must submit the report within a five-day deadline.

Literal Translation

You must return the report within a deadline of five days.

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