Late Definition

lāt
last, later, latest, latter
adjective
later, latest
Happening, coming, etc. after the usual, proper, or expected time; tardy; behindhand.
Webster's New World
Occurring at an advanced hour, especially well into the evening or night.
A late movie on television; the late flight to Denver.
American Heritage
Happening, being, continuing, etc. far on in the day, night, year, etc.
The late afternoon, a late party.
Webster's New World
Happening, being, continuing, etc. toward the end; far advanced in a period, development, etc.
The late Middle Ages.
Webster's New World
Happening, appearing, etc. just prior to the present time; recent.
A late news bulletin.
Webster's New World
adverb
After the usual, proper, or expected time; tardily.
Webster's New World
At or until an advanced time of the day, night, year, etc.
Webster's New World
At or into an advanced period or stage.
A project undertaken late in her career.
American Heritage
Toward the end of a given period, development, etc.
Webster's New World
Recently; lately.
As late as yesterday.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
noun

(informal) A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place late in the day or at night.

Wiktionary
idiom
of late
  • Recently; lately:

    was feeling better of late.

American Heritage
late on
  • at a late stage; near the end
Webster's New World
of late
  • lately
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Late

Noun

Singular:
late
Plural:
lates

Adjective

Base Form:
late
Comparative:
later
Superlative:
latest

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Late

Origin of Late

  • From Middle English late, lat, from Old English læt (“slow; slack, lax, negligent; late"), from Proto-Germanic *lataz (“slow, lazy"), from Proto-Indo-European *lÄ“(y)d- (“to weaken, tire, relax, subside"). Cognate with Scots lat (“late"), West Frisian let (“late"), Dutch laat (“late"), Low German laat (“late"), German lass (“dull, limp"), Swedish lat (“idle, lazy"), Icelandic latur (“lazy"), Latin lassus (“weary, faint").

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English from Old English læt lē- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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