latest

American  

[ley-tist] / ˈleɪ tɪst /

adjective

1. most recent; current.

   latest fashions.

2. last.

---

noun

1. the latest, the most recent news, development, disclosure, etc..

   This is the latest in personal computers.

idioms

1. at the latest, not any later than (a specified time).

   Be at the airport by 7 o'clock at the latest.

latest British  

/ ˈleɪtɪst /

adjective

1. the superlative of late

---

adjective

1. most recent, modern, or new

   the latest fashions

noun

1. no later than the time specified

2. informal the most recent fashion or development

Etymology

Origin of latest

A late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at late, -est ¹

Explanation

Something that's the latest is the newest, most recent example of that thing. For example, some people always need to have the latest cellphone model, while you're perfectly happy with the one that came out three years ago. You can listen to a singer's latest single, or read a novelist's latest book — the ones most recently written and released. The adjective latest can also describe the very most fashionable thing, like the latest hairstyle or the latest men's suit design. "The latest" is also sometimes used to mean "the news," so you could say, "Hey, have you all heard the latest on the flood at school?"

Example Sentences

Latest figures from the RAC show petrol up by 24.7p and diesel by 47.8p a litre since Feb 28.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Latest polling from YouGov suggests 53% of people oppose the strikes, with 38% supporting them.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Latest available data for each country varies within the period 2015 to 2023.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

Appeared in the February 20, 2026, print edition as 'Washington State’s Latest Tax Gambit'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

Momma started ticking off the things that Byron called his Latest Fantastic Adventures.

From "The Watsons Go to Birmingham" by Christopher Paul Curtis