- superlative of late.
adjective
adjective
noun
-
no later than the time specified
-
informal the most recent fashion or development
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Here’s what to know about Tesla’s latest electric model.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
Make these moves to take advantage of the latest AI reset.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
Find insight on oil prices and more in the latest Market Talks covering Energy and Utilities.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
All seven candidates to lead the United Nations received a vote of "discourage," effectively a veto, from a permanent UN Security Council member in the latest informal poll, a diplomat said Friday.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
Humming an upbeat tune, I got online and started to go through my latest email thread with Thomas.
From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas
Of course, that doesn’t stop either faction from being suckered in by Frank’s latests hoax at the end of the episode.
From Time ● Sep. 12, 2013
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
