late

adjective

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\ ˈlāt

later; latest

Definition of late

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a(1) : coming or remaining after the due, usual, or proper time a late spring was late for class

(2) : of, relating to, or imposed because of tardiness had to pay a late fee

b(1) : of or relating to an advanced stage in point of time or development : occurring near the end of a period of time or series the late Middle Ages

(2) : far advanced toward the close of the day or night late hours

2a : living comparatively recently : now deceased —used of persons the late John Doe and often with reference to a specific relationship or status his late wife

b : being something or holding some position or relationship recently but not now the late belligerents

c : made, appearing, or happening just previous to the present time especially as the most recent of a succession our late quarrel

late

adverb

later; latest

Definition of late (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : after the usual or proper time got to work late

b : at or to an advanced point of time

2 : not long ago : recently a writer late of Chicago

of late

: in the period shortly or immediately preceding : recently has been sick of late

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Other Words from late Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing late Learn More About late

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Choose the Right Synonym for late

Adjective

dead, defunct, deceased, departed, late mean devoid of life. dead applies literally to what is deprived of vital force but is used figuratively of anything that has lost any attribute (such as energy, activity, radiance) suggesting life. a dead, listless performance defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation. a defunct television series deceased, departed, and late apply to persons who have died recently. deceased is the preferred term in legal use. the estate of the deceased departed is used usually as a euphemism. our departed sister late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status. the company's late president

Examples of late in a Sentence

Adjective It happened in late spring. a word first recorded in the late 17th century We had a late spring this year. Hurry up or we'll be late for school. Their warning was too late to help him. I've always been a late riser. He made a donation to the school in memory of his late wife. Adverb Late in the year he became ill. It rained late in the day. Late in his career he moved to the city. a word first recorded late in the 17th century They were trailing by a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The package should be arriving late next week. He sent in his job application late. They arrived too late for breakfast. I like getting up late. The package arrived late, but better late than never! See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Some politicians and activists of late have made accusations that teaching about race and inclusion in school is divisive, or a way to indoctrinate students. — Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 19 May 2022 The business news of late has been rife with discussions on whether or not brands should take a position on social issues. — Forrester, Forbes, 18 May 2022 Jack Farrell Park has been one of the more active local parks as of late, Abrica said, pointing to a baseball and softball field, playground, grassy areas and recently installed exercise area that have been actively frequented by residents. — Lauren Hernández, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 May 2022 Councilmember Tony Kranz said regional coronavirus case numbers have been rising exponentially of late and the decision to go remote was good one given that City Hall is a renovated, old strip mall building that doesn’t have great air circulation. — Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2022 That racist theory, of late, has moved into more mainstream dialogue, including with Fox News host Tucker Carlson. — Gary Craig, USA TODAY, 17 May 2022 Meta, Amazon, and Alphabet have been struggling as of late, too. — Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 16 May 2022 Given the way that LGBTQ rights have been under attack of late, what has your experience been like? — Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 May 2022 The nation, which has historically had one of the highest proportion of smokers in the world, has been falling in the ranking of late, according to reports. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 6 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb Regulators in Beijing began a crackdown on domestic tech firms late in 2020, crushing the market cap of many of the country's leading firms over 50%. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 18 May 2022 Crowder, who had 18 points, eight rebounds and two blocks that game, also got the last laugh for his viral salsa dance late in the fourth, which imitated James in his Mountain Dew commercial. — Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 17 May 2022 Louisville finished 2-10 in 2018, firing Bobby Petrino as coach late in the season. — Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 13 May 2022 The superstar’s status for Friday night’s Game 6 is uncertain after Crosby absorbed a high but — in the eyes of the officials — legal hit from Jacob Trouba late in the second period of Game 5 on Wednesday night. — Will Graves, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2022 The Oilers will be without defenseman Darnell Nurse, who has been suspended one game for headbutting Kings center Phillip Danault late in the second period of Game 5. — Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2022 But a safety car late in the competition prompted a restart and, as a result, a closer race than expected in the last 10 laps. — Jen Juneau, PEOPLE.com, 9 May 2022 Then late in the second period, the Wolverines converted again with the man advantage. — Chris Bieri, Anchorage Daily News, 9 May 2022 Maxey showed his on-court maturity late in Sunday’s game, with Philadelphia ahead by 6 and holding off Miami’s final push. — New York Times, 9 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'late.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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