later

[lei-ter]

adjective

1. a comparative of late.

   Her later years were not happy.

adverb

1. a comparative of late.

   The meeting ran later than we expected.

2. 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.

later

/ ˈleɪtə /

adjective

1. the comparative of late

adverb

1. afterwards; subsequently

2. an expression of farewell

3. eventually; inevitably

Word History and Origins

Origin of later¹

First recorded before 900; lat(e) ( def. ) + -er ⁴ ( def. ) for the adjective; lat(e) ( def. ) + -er ⁵ ( def. ) for the adverb

Idioms and Phrases

• late
• sooner or later

Example Sentences

They said heavy winds six days later caused the underground fire to surface and spread above ground in what became one of the costliest and most destructive disasters in city history.

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Months later, he filed a countersuit alleging property damage and emotional distress, but the case was dismissed, according to court records.

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A year later, schools are required to begin phasing them out.

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He later apologised to jurors for the "disturbance" as the case resumed and said Mr Hussein did not wish to return in court for the rest of the prosecution opening.

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She explained later: "I thought, oh we can guess lots of numbers, so while they're working that out, I'll just stick a number in."

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Related Words

• afterward 
• again 
• next 
• subsequently 
• thereafter