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late Definition

late (lāt)

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

  1. happening, coming, etc. after the usual, proper, or expected time; tardy; behindhand
    1. happening, being, continuing, etc. far on in the day, night, year, etc. the late afternoon, a late party
    2. happening, being, continuing, etc. toward the end; far advanced in a period, development, etc. the late Middle Ages
  3. happening, appearing, etc. just previous to the present time; recent a late news bulletin
  4. having been so recently but not now the late allies
  5. having recently died

Etymology: ME < OE læt, slow, sluggish, tardy, akin to Du laat, Ger lass, slow, lazy < IE *lēid < base *lēi-, to neglect, let go > let, L lassus, weak

adverb lat′er, lat′·est or last

  1. after the usual, proper, or expected time; tardily
  2. at or until an advanced time of the day, night, year, etc.
  3. toward the end of a given period, development, etc.
  4. recently; lately as late as yesterday

Etymology: ME < OE < base of the adj.

late Related Forms

late′·ness noun

late Idioms

late on

Chiefly Brit. at a late stage; near the end

of late

lately

late Synonyms

late

modif.

  1. Tardy

    too late, held up, overdue, stayed, postponed, put off, not on time, belated, behind time, lagging, delayed, remiss, behindhand, backward, not in time, in the lurch*, later than you think*, at the eleventh hour*; see also slow 2, 3.

    Antonyms early*, punctual*, on time.

  2. Recently dead

    dead, defunct, deceased, departed; see dead 1.

  3. Recent

    new, just out, recently published; see fresh 1.

  4. Far into the night

    nocturnal, night-loving, after hours, advanced, tardy, toward morning, after midnight.

  5. At an advanced cultural stage

    developed, cultured, advanced; see modern 1, 3. See syn. study at dead.

of late

lately, in recent times, a short time ago; see recently.

late Usage Examples

Preposition: at

night: These are the editions I reach for late at night.

Modifies a noun

  • news: The latest news from the world of Doctor Who.
  • version: We ship only the latest version of our software.
  • century: The working class adopted the sport during the late 19th Century.
  • date: Latest dates for your sex & the city 2006 pink dairy are: @ 100 % babe - special event!
  • 1980s: The BECTU History Project has been running since the late 1980s.
  • addition: The sports documentary is becoming a stalwart of the genre but can this latest addition be as extreme as the rest?

Modifying Another Word

  • too: Oops, me thinks your condition shows its too late for you.
  • very: In our very latest work, " Marge " has mapped the whole Keble triangle.

Infinitive complement

  • join: Dept. , London Wall, EC2, 6.00 pm COURSES ( not too late to join!
  • start: Sheila is great proof that it is never too late to start writing.
  • apply: It is too late to apply now, but the positions are advertised every year.

Used with adjective complement

  • arrive: Applications sent by fax or email or any that arrive late will not be accepted so always be aware of the deadline!
  • come: Market or Poultry crosses came relatively late in the history of markets.

Preposition: in

  • series: The Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2000 is the latest in a series of Reports on the Industrial Development Act 1982.
  • evening: Set over 5 levels, the entire venue is reserved for our passengers until later in the evening.
  • string: The China deal is the latest in a string of successes for the company.
  • technology: Halogen heaters are being hailed as the latest in heating technology - being both highly efficient and economical.
  • line: Latest in line is Kid Blue, a new face on the scene but one whose production shows a mature approach to producing.
  • clothing: Hucklecote Hucklecote offers you the latest in country clothing for the discerning gentleman.

Browse dictionary entries near late

  1. ‹ latchstring
  2. ‹ latchkey
  3. ‹ latchet
  4. ‹ latch onto
  5. ‹ latch
  6. ‹ Latakia
  7. ‹ LATA
  8. ‹ lat
  9. ‹ lastly
  10. ‹ lasting
  1. late bloomer ›
  2. Late Greek ›
  3. Late Latin ›
  4. latecomer ›
  5. lateen ›
  6. lateen-rigged ›
  7. lately ›
  8. latency ›
  9. lateness ›
  10. latent ›