Dictionary.com

Popular Searches

 Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

latecomer

American  
[leyt-kuhm-er] / ˈleɪtˌkʌm ər /

noun

  1. a person who arrives late.

    The latecomers were seated after the overture.

latecomer British  
/ ˈleɪtˌkʌmə /

noun

  1. a person or thing that comes late

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of latecomer

First recorded in 1865–70; late + comer

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.

In truth, America was a latecomer to the conflict.

From The Wall Street Journal

The boisterous buzz makes it an essential part of the day for fans, who arrive in morning darkness to stake their spot, while latecomers, irked at missing out, slope off down the fairway.

From BBC

A comparative latecomer to the international stage, the full stature of Brendel's talent only became apparent at the age of 45.

From BBC

But Fox will be a latecomer to a field where some of the major players are still losing billions of dollars.

From Los Angeles Times

Such digital tokens are notorious for speculators using hype to pump up the value before selling at the top of the market, leaving latecomers to count their losses as the price crashes.

From BBC

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.