latest

[ ley-tist ]

/ ˈleɪ tɪst /

|||

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR latest ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective a superl. of late with later as compar.

most recent; current: latest fashions.

last¹.

noun

the latest, the most recent news, development, disclosure, etc.: This is the latest in personal computers.

Nearby words

lateroduction, lateroflexion, laterotorsion, laterotrusion, lateroversion, latest, latex, latex agglutination test, latex paint, lath, lathe

Idioms

at the latest, not any later than (a specified time): Be at the airport by 7 o'clock at the latest.

Origin of latest

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at late, -est¹

Definition for latest (2 of 2)

late

[ leyt ]

/ leɪt /

adjective, lat·er or lat·ter, lat·est or last.

occurring, coming, or being after the usual or proper time: late frosts; a late spring.

continued until after the usual time or hour; protracted: a late business meeting.

near or at the end of day or well into the night: a late hour.

belonging to the time just before the present moment; most recent: a late news bulletin.

immediately preceding the present one; former: the late attorney general.

recently deceased: the late Mr. Phipps.

occurring at an advanced stage in life: a late marriage.

belonging to an advanced period or stage in the history or development of something: the late phase of feudalism.

adverb, lat·er, lat·est.

after the usual or proper time, or after delay: to arrive late.

until after the usual time or hour; until an advanced hour, especially of the night: to work late.

at or to an advanced time, period, or stage: The flowers keep their blossoms late in warm climates.

recently but no longer: a man late of Chicago, now living in Philadelphia.

Origin of late

before 900; Middle English; Old English læt slow, late; cognate with German lass slothful, Old Norse latr, Gothic lats slow, lazy, Latin lassus tired

SYNONYMS FOR late

1 tardy; slow, dilatory; delayed, belated.

4 See modern.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR late ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

late·ness, nouno·ver·late, adjectiveo·ver·late·ness, noun

Can be confused

former later latter

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for latest

In front of this strange structure are two blank-faced, well-dressed models showing off the latest in European minimalism.
New York’s Most Tragic Ghost Loves Minimalist Swedish Fashion|Nina Strochlic|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Her latest book, Heretic: The Case for a Muslim Reformation, will be published in April by HarperCollins.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive|Ayaan Hirsi Ali|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Where the U.S. once sought to train several divisions worth, the latest effort is for just 3,000 troops.
Pentagon Insider on New Plan to Fight ISIS: ‘Of Course It’s Not Enough’|Nancy A. Youssef|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The kid from next door drops by and Marvin talks to him about the stunts in his latest film, Death Hunt.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Jacob Cordova, 27, is the latest activist to be jailed for their activities.
Texas Gun Slingers Police the Police—With a Black Panthers Tactic|Brandy Zadrozny|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
That the spring—March, at the latest—is the only season for such a venture there can be no doubt at all.
Farthest North|Fridtjof Nansen
Akin to this is fashionably slangy conversation concerning the latest thing in books, magazine articles, trivial plays.
A Girl's Student Days and After|Jeannette Marks
The mass of each particle is, according to the latest and finest measurements 1/1845 of that of an atom of hydrogen.
The Outline of Science, Vol. 1 (of 4)|J. Arthur Thomson
It was here he acquired that never-failing interest in the "newest taste and the latest fashion."
Seaport in Virginia|Gay Montague Moore
The latest notable effort of mechanical puppet manufacture is exhibited at Boulogne at the present time.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXIII.--April, 1852.--Vol. IV.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for latest (1 of 2)

latest

/ (ˈleɪtɪst) /

adjective, adverb

the superlative of late

adjective

most recent, modern, or newthe latest fashions

noun

at the latest no later than the time specified

the latest informal the most recent fashion or development

British Dictionary definitions for latest (2 of 2)

late

/ (leɪt) /

adjective

occurring or arriving after the correct or expected timethe train was late

(prenominal) occurring, scheduled for, or being at a relatively advanced timea late marriage

(prenominal) towards or near the endthe late evening

at an advanced time in the evening or at nightit was late

(prenominal) occurring or being just previous to the present timehis late remarks on industry

(prenominal) having died, esp recentlymy late grandfather

(prenominal) just preceding the present or existing person or thing; formerthe late manager of this firm

of late recently; lately

adverb

after the correct or expected timehe arrived late

at a relatively advanced ageshe married late

recently; latelyas late as yesterday he was selling books

late hours rising and going to bed later than is usual

late in the day

at a late or advanced stage
too late

Derived Forms

lateness, noun

Word Origin for late

Old English læt; related to Old Norse latr, Gothic lats

usage

Since late can mean deceased, many people think it is better to avoid using this word to refer to the person who held a post or position before its present holder: the previous (not the late) editor of The Times

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

Idioms and Phrases with latest

late

In addition to the idioms beginning with late

late in life
late in the day

also see:

at the latest
better late than never
Johnny-come-lately
keep late hours
of late
the latest
too little, too late

Also see underlater.