- comparative of late.
later
Americanadjective
adverb
-
a comparative of late.
The meeting ran later than we expected.
-
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.
adjective
adverb
-
afterwards; subsequently
-
an expression of farewell
-
eventually; inevitably
Etymology
Origin of later
First recorded before 900; lat(e) ( def. ) + -er 4 ( def. ) for the adjective; lat(e) ( def. ) + -er 5 ( def. ) for the adverb
Explanation
Later is a way to talk about time: some time after now. You can go to a movie later tonight. Later can also mean more recent, as in "Which is the later movie, Gone with the Wind or Citizen Kane?" It can mean toward the end: “He made that movie later in his career.” It can also mean after, as in "You were later than I thought you'd be!" It can also be used in comparison: "He was late; I was later." All these uses are about time, and how time keeps moving on from now to later.
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.
For weeks, investors and Federal Reserve watchers had been expecting the central bank to hold interest rates steady when it meets later this month.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 17, 2026
Katie Zacharia will be transitioning to a new role that will be announced at a later date, a person familiar with the plans said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
Both indictments were later dismissed because of a defect involving the appointment of the prosecutor, although the Justice Department subsequently pursued a new indictment against Comey.
From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026
The Scots held on to the lead until the 17th-minute, when hooker Brittany Merlo went over to draw the hosts level and wing Maya Stewart added another six minutes later, with Samantha Wood converting both.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
A second later I realized with a shiver down my spine that I was meeting the national group.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
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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.
