Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » late

late

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of late is something that happens or someone that arrives after the expected time.

(adjective)

An example of late is someone showing up to breakfast in the afternoon.
An example of late is a show that was supposed to start at four beginning at four thirty.

See late in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective later or latter, latest or last

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
happening, appearing, etc. just previous to the present time; recent: a late news bulletin
having been so recently but not now: the late allies
having recently died

Origin: 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 later, latest or last

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

Origin: ME < OE < base of the adj.

Related Forms:

lateness noun

See late in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective lat·er, lat·est

Coming, occurring, or remaining after the correct, usual, or expected time; delayed: The bus is late. See Synonyms at tardy.
a. Beginning after or continuing past the usual or expected hour: a late breakfast; a late meeting.
b. Occurring at an advanced hour, especially well into the evening or night: a late movie on television; the late flight to Denver.
Of or toward the end or more advanced part, as of a period or stage: the late 19th century; a later symptom of the disease.
a. Having begun or occurred just previous to the present time; recent: a late development.
b. Contemporary; up-to-date: the latest fashion.
a. Having recently occupied a position or place: the company's late president gave the address.
b. Dead, especially if only recently deceased: in memory of the late explorer.

adverb later later, latest latest

After the expected, usual, or proper time: a train that arrived late; woke late and had to skip breakfast.
a. At or until an advanced hour: talked late into the evening.
b. At or into an advanced period or stage: a project undertaken late in her career.
Recently: As late as last week he was still in town.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English lǽt; see lē- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

lateˈness noun

Usage Note: It is technically correct to use a phrase such as our late treasurer to refer to a person who is still alive but who no longer holds the relevant post, but the use of former in this context will ensure that no embarrassing misunderstanding is created.

Learn more about late

late synonyms

late phrase meanings

late in a sentence

late quotes

link/cite print suggestion box