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

Adverb

• afterwards
• 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

Jackson will compete in her primary event later this week against the likes of Alfred and Jefferson-Wooden. —Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Drought continues to worsen in several parts of the country, meteorologists warned in early September as dry conditions are forecast for many areas later in the month, sparking additional fears about wildfires in the fire-prone West. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025

The sound of a single gunshot could be heard in the video moments later. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025

Even those who arrived later, who hadn’t witnessed the tipping of the balance, couldn’t stop talking about it. —T. Coraghessan Boyle, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025

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