later

1 of 2

adverb

lat·​er ˈlā-tər 

: at some time subsequent to a given time : subsequently, afterward

one week later

they later regretted the decision

—often used with on

experience that will be useful later on

-later

2 of 2

noun combining form

: worshipper

bibliolater

Synonyms of later

Adverb

• afterward
• after
• thereafter

Examples of later in a Sentence

Adverb

I'll talk to you again later.

They later regretted the decision.

She returned several weeks later.

I saw him again later that morning.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

The gunman fled and was later spotted making his way uptown on a bicycle. —Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026

Gusty winds could also extend into coastal New England later in the weekend, especially if the storm remains closer to the coast. —Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026

First found in the 1930s, this interpretation was later validated by a wide variety of laboratory experiments. —Big Think, 30 Jan. 2026

A couple weeks later, Carnahan, who was scheduled to start filming Copshop around that time, invited Crosby to rendezvous at L’Horizon, another swanky resort in Palm Springs, where their friendship blossomed into romance. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

see late entry 1

Noun combining form

French -latre, from Late Latin -latres, from Greek -latrēs; akin to Greek latron pay

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing later

• at a later/future date
• later on
• no/not later than
• see you (around/later)
• sooner or later
• sooner rather than later

Rhymes for later

• cater
• crater
• frater
• freighter
• gator
• grater
• accelerator
• accumulator
• adjudicator
• administrator
• appropriator
• articulator