late
adjective
occurring, coming, or being after the usual or proper time: a late spring.
lateness
-
a word derived from
late.
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.
Another, beginning as an apology for chronic lateness, becomes an uncharacteristically aggressive defense of it.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2026
Charging patients for no-shows or significant lateness is — much like in the airline industry — justified because missed appointments disrupt schedules and usually cannot be filled at such short notice.
From MarketWatch ● May 1, 2026
There was a range of fines for lateness.
From BBC ● Apr. 6, 2026
The 93-year-old newspaper comic strip Blondie could have been called Dagwood, given how often its gags revolve around Dagwood Bumstead’s insatiable appetite, chronic lateness and his love of napping.
From New York Times ● Apr. 22, 2024
“Slughorn proved much more persuadable than I had expected. Harry’s doing, of course. Ah, hello, Nymphadora!”Harry looked around and saw that Mrs. Weasley was not alone, despite the lateness of the hour.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
