later
Americanadjective
adverb
-
a comparative of late.
The meeting ran later than we expected.
-
afterward, subsequently, or at a time in the future (sometimes followed byon ).
She later said she was sorry. I'll see you later. Let's decide about this later on.
adjective
adverb
-
afterwards; subsequently
-
an expression of farewell
-
eventually; inevitably
Etymology
Origin of later
First recorded before 900; lat(e) ( def. ) + -er 4 ( def. ) for the adjective; lat(e) ( def. ) + -er 5 ( def. ) for the adverb
Explanation
Later is a way to talk about time: some time after now. You can go to a movie later tonight. Later can also mean more recent, as in "Which is the later movie, Gone with the Wind or Citizen Kane?" It can mean toward the end: “He made that movie later in his career.” It can also mean after, as in "You were later than I thought you'd be!" It can also be used in comparison: "He was late; I was later." All these uses are about time, and how time keeps moving on from now to later.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The link to the website later stopped working.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026
What rankles more is his only international T20 appearance three weeks later, when Ireland plundered 52 from his four overs.
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026
The couple will later meet with Native Americans at a national park, before departing for the British island territory of Bermuda in the Atlantic.
From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026
The company offered no commentary on cost pressures stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, which means this topic will likely feature in its analyst call later Thursday, Calero adds.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
After much exhausting digging, he grubbed up four more, ate two, and stuffed two in his jerkin for later.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
