later

1 of 2

adverb

lat·​er ˈlā-tər How to pronounce later (audio)
: 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

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
Two months later came several more alerts, all of them in November. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024 Months later, border officials told Grant that the man had entered Australia, and he was ultimately charged with contempt of court. Matt Burgess, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024 An hour later, Eilish was still showing off her clock to anyone who asked. Jada Yuan, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 Eleven days later, when Booth was killed in Virginia, a theatre manager came to tell her the news. Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 A couple of years later, Mellencamp invited Springsteen to his Belmont, Indiana, recording studio. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024 Explore our new section Only later would Crabtree learn that the coyote called Tripod was a local legend whose likeness graces a massive mural downtown and whose chance encounters with residents are quickly documented on social media. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 Milwaukee is expected to see highs in the 60s on Monday and Tuesday, followed by rainy, cooler weather later in the week. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2024 Rosa laid her first egg Feb. 14, followed by her second egg three days later, according to the wildlife conservancy. Helena Wegner, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'later.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of later was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near later

Cite this Entry

“Later.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/later. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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