late

1 of 2

adjective

ˈlāt 

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

late

2 of 2

adverb

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

Phrases

of late

: in the period shortly or immediately preceding : recently

has been sick of late

Synonyms

Adjective

• delayed
• belated
• behind
• delinquent
• tardy
• latish

Adverb

• later
• eventually

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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

Waggoner credits his late mother Mary with teaching him the skills necessary to do the repairs and revamping. —Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025

The Oppenheim Group's latest agent didn't get off to a great start with fellow soap alum Chrishell Stause. —Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025

Adverb

To be fair, Rainbow Kitten Surprise managed to show up late last year for an indoor gig at Boise State’s ExtraMile Arena. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025

McMahon and Rollins arrived too late, eventually landing jobs leading the departments of Education and Agriculture, respectively. —Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Adverb

Middle English, late, slow, from Old English læt; akin to Old High German laz slow, Old English lǣtan to let

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing late

• as late as
• born too late
• early/late in the game
• get/have/make a late start
• had a late night
• it's getting late
• late blight
• late bloomer
• late-breaking news
• late capitalism
• late in life
• late in the day
• late night
• late of
• late-stage capitalism
• of late
• run late
• too little, too late

Rhymes for late

• ate
• bait
• bate
• cate
• crate
• date
• eight
• fait
• fate
• fete
• frate
• freight

Kids Definition

late

1 of 2 adjective

ˈlāt 

later; latest

1

a

: coming or remaining after the due, usual, or proper time

a late spring

b

: of or relating to an advanced stage in time or development

the late Middle Ages

especially : far advanced toward the close of the day or night

late hours

2

a

: having died or held some position or relationship recently

the late president

b

: recent sense 1b

a late discovery

lateness noun

late

2 of 2 adverb

later; latest

1

a

: after the usual or proper time

came in late

b

: at or to an advanced point in time

later in the day

2

: not long ago

a musician late of Chicago

Etymology

Adjective

Old English læt "late, slow" — related to last entry 4