latter

lat·ter

adjective \ˈla-tər\

Definition of LATTER

1

a : belonging to a subsequent time or period : more recent <the latter stages of growth>

b : of or relating to the end <in their latter days>

c : recent, present <affected by latter calamities>

2

: of, relating to, or being the second of two groups or things or the last of several groups or things referred to <of ham and beef the latter meat is cheaper today> <of ham and beef the latter is cheaper today>

Examples of LATTER

1. the latter stages of the process
2. We'll go in the latter half of the year.
3. In his latter years he became blind.
4. … a fundamental trade-off between capitalist prosperity and economic security. As a nation we have chosen to have less of the former in order to have more of the latter. —David A. Stockman, Newsweek, 28 Apr. 1986
5. … though her bibliography includes Hecht, Snyder, and Daiches, she omits the latter's first name … —DeLancey Ferguson, Modern Language Notes, February 1957

Origin of LATTER

Middle English, from Old English lætra, comparative of læt late

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to LATTER

Synonyms

bottommost, closing, concluding, final, hindmost, lag, latest, last, rearmost, terminal, terminating, ultimate

Antonyms

beginning, earliest, first, foremost, headmost, inaugural, initial, leadoff, maiden, opening, original, pioneer, primary, starting

Related Words

consequent, ensuing, eventual, following, succeeding; conclusive, crowning, decisive, definitive; farthermost, farthest, furthermost, furthest, remotest; lowermost, lowest, nethermost; endmost, extreme, outermost, outmost, utmost; penultimate

Near Antonyms

eminent, premier, superior

Rhymes with LATTER

attar, batter, blatter, chatter, clatter, flatter, hatter, matter, natter, patter, plaiter, platter, ratter, scatter, shatter, smatter, spatter, splatter, tatter