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

It was later determined, however, that the case did not meet authorities' acceptance criteria at the time. —Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026

Mahan burst onto the local political scene in 2020 with his election to the City Council, only to become mayor three years later. —Grace Hase, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026

When Pritchard lost control of the ball, dove on the floor to recover it and fed a pass to White for an open three, Andrew Nembhard canned a three of his own a minute later. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 13 Jan. 2026

Their divorce was finalized less than two years later — in June 2017, court records show — about a month after it was filed by Tepe, who was using her maiden name of Sabaturski at the time. —Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 13 Jan. 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