late

American  

[leyt] / leɪt /

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.

idioms

1. of late,  lately; recently.

   The days have been getting warmer of late.

late British  

/ 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

late More Idioms  

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

---

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

Related Words

See modern.

Other Word Forms

• lateness noun
• overlate adjective
• overlateness noun

Etymology

Origin of late

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”

Example Sentences

The BOJ official caused a stir in global markets by suggesting that the central bank could raise interest rates again as soon as later this month.

From MarketWatch

Kitchener later served as Secretary of State for War and was instrumental in expanding Britain’s army to wage a prolonged struggle of attrition in Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nor is it David Henry Hwang’s user-friendly libretto based on the late Ming Dynasty Chinese classic, “Journey to the West.”

From Los Angeles Times

Looking back at it now, almost 25 years later, it’s significant that she didn’t actually say the word depression.

From Salon

Nevertheless, the policy wasn’t abolished until the late 1960s.

From Salon

Related Words

• old
• once
• past
• previous
• sometime