late

play

adjective \ ˈlāt \

Definition of late

later; latest

1 a (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

2 a :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

—

lateness

noun

See late defined for English-language learners

See late defined for kids

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

This new Torah scroll, dedicated by Yuval and Limor Fishman of Aventura in tribute to the late Rebbe of the Toshe community in Montreal, is the shul's fifth Torah and will be read during the shul's upcoming High Holiday services.

— sergio carmona, Jewish Journal, "Aventura shul celebrates new CommUNITY Torah," 30 Aug. 2017
Guam’s homeland security adviser, George Charfauros, isn’t getting very excited about this latest threat.

— adam k. raymond, Daily Intelligencer, "North Korea: Missile Launch Was a ‘Prelude’ to a Guam Attack," 30 Aug. 2017
North Korea fired a missile on Tuesday, launching it over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean, which comes as the latest in a series of test launches that have increased tension among North Korea, its neighbors, and the United States.

— brittney mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Protesters Want a Statue Taken Down of a Doctor Who Surgically Experimented on Female Slaves," 29 Aug. 2017
The latest closing was announced last week as Sears Holdings continues to close stores amid a never-ending losing streak.

— bob bong, Daily Southtown, "Comings & Goings: Oak Lawn Kmart to close in November," 29 Aug. 2017
This is the latest Philly event for Clinton, who appeared in town several times during last year’s presidential race.

— nick vadala, Philly.com, "Hillary Clinton to explain 'What Happened' at Philly tour stop this fall," 28 Aug. 2017
The comedian, who regularly stays up late, had just woken up to news of President Trump’s latest Twitter tear.

— yashar ali, The Cut, "Off With Her Head," 27 Aug. 2017
The two latest examples: Guy Hill Cadillac in Pacific Beach and Bob Baker Ford in Mission Valley.

— roger showley, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Car dealerships give way to housing sites," 26 Aug. 2017
Anyone with information about the latest incident is asked to call the police or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

— andy marso, kansascity, "Shooting victim found dead in Kansas City, North, clothing store," 26 Aug. 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

late Synonyms

Synonyms

behind, behindhand, belated, delinquent, latish, overdue, tardy

Antonyms

early, inopportune, precocious, premature, unseasonable, untimely

Related Words

delayed, detained, postponed; dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, lagging, poky (or pokey), slow, sluggish, unhurried

Near Antonyms

opportune, seasonable, timely; prompt, punctual

Synonym Discussion of late

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

late

adverb

Definition of late

later; latest

1 a :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

See late defined for English-language learners

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!

Recent Examples of late from the Web

Late in 2008, the Astros had a series with the Chicago Cubs moved to Milwaukee because of Hurricane Ike’s heavy rains.

— billy witz, New York Times, "A Houston Astros Home Series Is Moved to Florida," 29 Aug. 2017
The Tigers also had their chances to score late in the fourth, the best coming with 20 seconds left when Jasper Lee moved in on Karagezyan.

— jeff tully, Burbank Leader, "Arakelyan leads Burroughs to comeback victory," 29 Aug. 2017
Mexico has banned most gill net fishing in the upper gulf, but the actions appear to have been too little, too late.

— mark stevenson, The Seattle Times, "Activists blame Mexican government for near-loss of porpoise," 28 Aug. 2017
Lawrence picked up the win in his debut for UC, Commissiong scored the would-be game-winner in the 33rd minute and Suleman polished off the win with a 90th-minute goal after Gardner-Webb pulled its goalkeeper late.

— cincinnati enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "UC men's, women's soccer earns AAC honors," 28 Aug. 2017
Late in his life, Toscanini was peeved at two American executives, David Sarnoff and Samuel Chotzinoff.

— jay nordlinger, National Review, "Maestrissimo, Part I," 28 Aug. 2017
Michigan State's game-winning goal was scored late in the 85th minute and occurred on a controversial quick reset on a free kick near the Bulldogs' box.

— samford athletics, AL.com, "Missed chances doom 'Dogs in 3-2 home loss to Michigan State," 27 Aug. 2017
Brittney Griner had 29 points, eight rebounds and five blocks, and Leilani Mitchell hit two late three-pointers to help the Phoenix Mercury hold off the Seattle Storm 75-71 on Sunday night.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Griner, Taurasi, Mitchell Lead Mercury Past Storm 75-71," 27 Aug. 2017
The latter order, sprung with little notice late in the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 27, sparked nationwide protests at airports in most major U.S. cities.

— joshua green, Bloomberg.com, "Bannon’s Path From Trusted Attack Dog to Toxic Liability," 18 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of late

see ¹late

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

late Synonyms

Synonyms

belatedly, delinquently, tardily

LATE Defined for English Language Learners

late

adverb

Definition of late for English Language Learners

: at or near the end of a period of time or a process, activity, series, etc.
: after the usual or expected time

LATE Defined for Kids

late

play

adjective \ ˈlāt \

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?

late

adverb

Definition of late for Students

later; latest

1 :after the usual or proper time

We arrived late.

2 :near the end of something

We'll see you late next week.

— of late

:lately

I have not seen him of 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

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late

Definition of late

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Origin and Etymology of late

late Synonyms

Synonyms

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LATE Defined for English Language Learners

late

Definition of late for English Language Learners

LATE Defined for Kids

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Definition of late for Students

lateness

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Definition of late for Students

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