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 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

Two years later, that number has more than doubled, with more than 150 Latin music acts featured at the iconic festival, now in its 40th year. —Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026

Hours later, Netanyahu announced Israeli attacks had killed a top Iranian nuclear scientist and hit others but gave few details. —Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026

But only a few dozen political prisoners were released at the time and some were imprisoned again later, like dissidents Jose Daniel Ferrer and Felix Navarro. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026

In a posting on its website, the university later said there was no longer a threat but urged the public to avoid the scene of the shooting, where emergency personnel continued to work. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 13 Mar. 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