late

adjective

\ 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

Other Words from late Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences 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!

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Photo: Mehdi Taamallah/NurPhoto/Zuma Press As of late, the nation that invented the 35-hour workweek has been rolling up its sleeves. — Joshua Robinson, WSJ, "France, on the Brink of a World Cup Win, Has the Bleus," 13 July 2018 Hollywood has been a little late to jump on the Bernstein bandwagon, but two Bernstein biopics are in the works. — Mark Swed, latimes.com, "Review: The Hollywood Bowl turns up the heat for Leonard Bernstein celebration — sometimes too high," 11 July 2018 Kim Kardashian has seemingly unlimited access to some of the best makeup artists in the game, but people are calling the reality star’s latest look a serious beauty mishap. — Zoë Weiner, Teen Vogue, "Kim Kardashian's Spray Tan Gets Compared to Selena Gomez at the 2018 Met Gala," 10 July 2018 Roe and egg imitations tend to work best this late in the season. — Jordan Rodriguez, idahostatesman, "Warm Lake offers chance to beat the heat, catch some fish near Cascade," 9 July 2018 The Boston College game at the midpoint of last season was the one that exposed Louisville’s holes on defense far too late. — Jake Lourim, The Courier-Journal, "How Louisville football can (and can't) beat Boston College," 8 July 2018 Follow along below for the latest updates: Dozens protest outside Trump golf resorts Dozens of protesters have rallied outside Mr. Trump's golf resorts in Scotland to protest his visit. — CBS News, "10,000 protest Trump in Edinburgh, Scotland -- live updates," 14 July 2018 Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! — Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, "How Prince William Is Creating the Same ‘Loving, Caring, Fun Home’ as His Mom Princess Diana," 13 July 2018 Confidence: High Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest updates. — A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: Un-muggy heat through tomorrow, but then we turn steamy and wetter into next week," 13 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

Like much of Beyoncé’s most fascinating work of late, the album—a collaboration with her husband JAY-Z—emphasizes the unique intersection of what New Yorker writer Doreen St. Felix describes as her Southernness and the global black vernacular. — Joshunda Sanders, Harper's BAZAAR, "Everything Is Love Is the Ultimate Ode to Black Freedom," 22 June 2018 Illnesses associated with this outbreak began as early as March 3 and as late as July 2, the CDC says. — Devon Elizabeth, SELF, "Update: There Are Now 100 Salmonella Cases Linked to Recalled Honey Smacks Cereal," 13 July 2018 As late as lunchtime on Sunday at Bedminster, Trump was asking friends – including Fox News host Sean Hannity and Newsmax chief executive Christopher Ruddy – for their input. — Author: Ashley Parker, Robert Costa, Anchorage Daily News, "‘All a little misdirection’: Inside Trump’s sometimes-wavering decision to nominate Kavanaugh," 11 July 2018 As late as lunchtime on Sunday at Bedminster, Trump was asking friends — including Fox News host Sean Hannity and Newsmax chief executive Christopher Ruddy — for their input. — Ashley Parker And Robert Costa, chicagotribune.com, "Inside Trump's sometimes wavering decision on Brett Kavanaugh," 11 July 2018 Other more minor finishing work will run as late as next spring. — Adam Vaccaro, BostonGlobe.com, "Commonwealth Avenue bridge project returns in late July," 11 July 2018 As late as the 1960s, Maltese families were still arriving in Corktown. — John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press, "Here's what you might not know about Corktown's history," 9 July 2018 Indeed, as late as the beginning of the twentieth century, New Yorkers were debating legislative bills about whether women should be allowed to eat out without a male escort. — Dana Snitzky, Longreads, "Eating Alone," 6 July 2018 People exposed to the new case, if infected, could develop symptoms as late as July 18. — Rita Giordano, Philly.com, "Second suspected measles case detected in South Jersey," 5 July 2018

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.