Definition of late
later
;latest
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 feeb (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 wifeb : being something or holding some position or relationship recently but not now the late belligerentsc : made, appearing, or happening just previous to the present time especially as the most recent of a succession our late quarrel
lateness
nounExplore Merriam-Webster
Examples of late in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of late from the Web
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Confidence: High Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates.
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And this latest one will surely send Royal Family followers into a tizzy.
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The latest refresh includes garbanzos, and the ingredients are chopped small, as people like them these days.
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Sessions, Mueller, and Rosenstein are but the latest targets of the president’s frustration over the investigation.
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Latest on the deaths of Cullman attorney Steve Griffith and his assailant Walker suffered from mental illness, Gentry said.
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Earlier this year the California Public Utilities Commission certified that the latest improvements meet the highest safety standards, so the historic funicular is on track.
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Elamin was released after five hours and is quick to acknowledge that others weren’t so fortunate: Yassin Abdelrhman, a green card holder in his late seventies from Sudan, was reportedly held at JFK for 30 hours.
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And there’s always Kitty O’Shea’s on the same block, an Irish pub where the U.K. Independence Party’s Nigel Farage can sometimes be found delivering his latest diatribe against the European project to anyone who’ll listen.
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.
Origin and Etymology of late
Middle English, late, slow, from Old English læt; akin to Old High German laz slow, Old English lǣtan to let
Synonym Discussion of late
Examples of late in a Sentence
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!
Origin and Etymology of late
see 1late
LATE Defined for English Language Learners
late
Definition of late for English Language Learners
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: at or near the end of a period of time or a process, activity, series, etc.
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: after the usual or expected time
LATE Defined for Kids
Definition of late for Students
later
;latest
1 : coming or occurring after the usual or proper time a late spring
2 : coming or occurring toward the end He married in his late twenties.
3 : having died or recently left a certain position the late president
4 : recent 2 a late discovery
lateness
noun Do you realize the lateness of the hour?Learn More about late
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See words that rhyme with late Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for late Spanish Central: Translation of late Nglish: Translation of late for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of late for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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