the latter

noun

1

: the second one of two things or people that have been mentioned

Of these two options, the former is less expensive, while the latter is less risky.

2

: the last thing or person mentioned

Of chicken, fish, and meat, I like the latter best.

3

: the thing or person that has just been mentioned

The President—or, if the latter is too busy, the Vice President—will see you shortly.

Examples of the latter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All rooms have the same layout and amenities; the only difference is that the latter includes an extra bedroom with two single beds. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

In Between Art Film and the LAS Foundation, both of which were launched in 2019 by collectors (Beatrice Bulgari for the former; Jan Fischer for the latter, working in association with Bettina Kames). — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

For now the collaboration is geared toward middle and high school students, with a focus on the latter, in a few partner Y locations (not yet specified). — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

This stormy pattern is forecast to affect the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, but the latter two regions could see the biggest jump in storminess compared to average. — Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026

Rhymes for the latter

• backscatter
• antimatter
• atter
• batter
• blatter
• catarrh
• chatter
• clatter
• fatter
• flatter
• hatter
• matter