postdate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Business, Academic
Quick answer
What does “postdate” mean?
To write a date on a document that is later than the actual date.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To write a date on a document that is later than the actual date.
To occur or exist at a later point in time than something else; to follow chronologically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling follows general convention: 'postdate' in both, though British English might be slightly more likely to use a hyphen ('post-date').
Connotations
The action of postdating a financial instrument (like a cheque) can carry a slight connotation of future planning or, in rare cases, potential deception if used improperly.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English due to the continued (though declining) use of personal cheques.
Grammar
How to Use “postdate” in a Sentence
[Subject] postdates [Object][Subject] postdates [Object] by [Time Period]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “postdate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I'll postdate the cheque for the first of next month.
- The archaeological findings clearly postdate the Roman settlement.
American English
- Can I postdate this check until my paycheck clears?
- Most of his major works postdate his time in Paris.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in finance and administration: 'We can postdate the cheque until the funds clear.'
Academic
Used in historical or literary analysis to describe chronological sequence: 'These manuscripts postdate the earlier scrolls by a century.'
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation.
Technical
Used in archaeology, history, and philology to establish timelines.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “postdate”
- Using 'postdate' to mean 'to be late for an appointment'.
- Confusing 'postdate' with 'predate'.
- Misspelling as 'pastdate'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally legal, but banks are not obligated to honour the postdated date and may cash it earlier. It's primarily a notice between the payer and payee.
'Postdate' means to occur or be dated after something. 'Predate' means to occur or be dated before something.
Not for people being late. It can describe events or objects in a chronological sequence (e.g., 'Event B postdates Event A').
No, it is a low-frequency word used primarily in specific formal, business, or academic contexts.
To write a date on a document that is later than the actual date.
Postdate is usually formal, business, academic in register.
Postdate: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpəʊstˈdeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpoʊstˈdeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'POST' as in 'after' (like post-game) + 'DATE'. So, to 'post-date' is to put an 'after-date' on something.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A LINE (where one point can be placed after another).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'to postdate'?