Forlorn man getting ring after the expected time (8)
I believe the answer is:
desolate
'forlorn' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'man getting ring after the expected time' is the wordplay.
'man' becomes 'des'.
'getting' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'ring' becomes 'O' (letter resembling a ring).
'after the expected time' becomes 'late' (I've seen this before).
'des'+'o'+'late'='DESOLATE'
(Other definitions for desolate that I've seen before include "Bleak, deserted" , "'Deserted, wretched (8)'" , "Barren" , "Bleak, dismal; wretched" , "Dispirited and lonely, being so elated" .)