later

1 of 3

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 3

comparative of late entry 1, late entry 2

-later

3 of 3

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

In contrast, there are high expectations for a hike by the European Central Bank on Wednesday and, increasingly, the Federal Reserve later this month. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026

After Ekwonu ruptured his patellar tendon in the playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Panthers signed veteran tackle Rasheed Walker to a one-year deal in free agency, then drafted Freeling with the 19th pick a month later. — Joseph Person, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Weeks later, the mother of three told the Statesman that she’s left with many questions — and no answers — after her eldest child was shot and killed by the trooper, who has not been identified. — Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 8 Sep. 2026

Their bodies were found several days later, dumped in a cliff-top shaft with gunshot wounds to their heads. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 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