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.
Days later, they ran out of fuel only to be spotted and rescued off the tiny Spanish island of El Hierro.
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026
You should also keep future required minimum distributions in mind, as they could create additional tax liabilities later in retirement, even though those rules likely remain more than a decade away.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026
SpaceX is due to price its initial public offering later Thursday and make its debut on the New York Stock Exchange Friday.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026
However, the role of nutrition is particularly intriguing, as certain dietary supplements may help support cellular health later in life.
From Science Daily • Jun. 11, 2026
Moments later, she found herself at the top of a hill parked within sight of Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In, according to the neon sign.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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.
