late

[leyt]

adjective

later, latest, last. 

1. occurring, coming, or being after the usual or proper time: a late spring.

   late frosts;

   a late spring.

   Synonyms: belated, delayed, dilatory, slow, tardy

2. continued until after the usual time or hour; protracted.

   a late business meeting.

3. near or at the end of day or well into the night.

   a late hour.

4. belonging to the time just before the present moment; most recent.

   a late news bulletin;

   The car is a late model, but I don't know the exact year.

5. immediately preceding the present one; former.

   the late attorney general.

6. recently deceased.

   the late Mr. Phipps.

7. occurring at an advanced stage in life.

   a late marriage.

8. belonging to an advanced period or stage in the history or development of something.

   the late phase of feudalism.

adverb

later, latest 

1. after the usual or proper time, or after delay.

   to arrive late.

2. until after the usual time or hour; until an advanced hour, especially of the night.

   to work late.

3. at or to an advanced time, period, or stage.

   The flowers keep their blossoms late in warm climates.

4. recently but no longer.

   a man late of Chicago, now living in Philadelphia.

late

/ leɪt /

adjective

1. occurring or arriving after the correct or expected time

   the train was late

2. (prenominal) occurring, scheduled for, or being at a relatively advanced time

   a late marriage

3. (prenominal) towards or near the end

   the late evening

4. at an advanced time in the evening or at night

   it was late

5. (prenominal) occurring or being just previous to the present time

   his late remarks on industry

6. (prenominal) having died, esp recently

   my late grandfather

7. (prenominal) just preceding the present or existing person or thing; former

   the late manager of this firm

8. recently; lately

adverb

1. after the correct or expected time

   he arrived late

2. at a relatively advanced age

   she married late

3. recently; lately

   as late as yesterday he was selling books

4. rising and going to bed later than is usual

5. 1. at a late or advanced stage

   2. too late

Usage

Since late can mean deceased, many people think it is better to avoid using this word to refer to the person who held a post or position before its present holder: the previous (not the late ) editor of The Times

Other Word Forms

• lateness noun
• overlate adjective
• overlateness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of late¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English læt “slow, late”; cognate with German lass “slothful,” Old Norse latr, Gothic lats “slow, lazy,” Latin lassus “tired”

Word History and Origins

Origin of late¹

Old English læt; related to Old Norse latr, Gothic lats

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. of late, lately; recently.

   The days have been getting warmer of late.

More idioms and phrases containing late

• Johnny-come-lately
• at the latest
• better late than never
• keep late hours
• later
• of late
• the latest
• too little, too late

Synonym Study

See modern.

Example Sentences

The Dodgers struggle against Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes and their ninth-inning rally is too little, too late as they suffer their fifth loss in six games.

From Los Angeles Times

The man’s attorney presented surveillance footage of the attack to show his client was in fact defending himself, and later requested that the charges be reduced to a misdemeanor.

From Los Angeles Times

At least 1,400 were later asked to come back.

From Los Angeles Times

But less than two months later, it announced that Lean Screen would be recalled after it returned inconsistent results across eight different sets of lab testing.

From BBC

In a later, lengthier statement, the New England Society for Physic Research remembered Dan for his desire to educate and connect with others, and his devotion to his family.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• old 
• once 
• past 
• previous 
• sometime