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

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 For decades, Monroe had been represented by her late husband, John Dingell, before being shifted into Rep. Tim Walberg’s district. — The Monroe News And Detroit Free Press, Detroit Free Press, "Process begins in creating Michigan's new districts," 7 May 2021 My late husband, a trial attorney with a large Cleveland law firm, routinely crossed out arbitration clauses where possible before signing. — Rich Exner, cleveland, "Which credit card rewards deals are best for you? - That’s Rich! Q&A," 6 May 2021 The demonstrations are, in part, a continuation of a movement that swept Latin America in late 2019 as people took to the streets in Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua and elsewhere. — New York Times, "Colombia Police Respond to Protests With Bullets, and Death Toll Mounts," 5 May 2021 Administrative assistant for Just Food Initiative Cindy Sansale said the organization was founded about 13 years ago by Director M. Grace Grzanek and her late husband. — David Sharos, chicagotribune.com, "Just Food Initiative, African American Men of Unity join in program for students on ‘growing organic, nutritious food’," 4 May 2021 Perhaps this new beer is a small tribute to Queen Elizabeth II's late husband, Prince Philip? — Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, "Queen Elizabeth II Low-Key Launched a Beer Line," 4 May 2021 Wright is the widow of the late Rep. Ron Wright, R-Texas, who died earlier in February after contracting coronavirus. — Evie Fordham, Fox News, "Democrats hoping to flip Texas House seat fall short amid low turnout: 'Pretty bad'," 3 May 2021 Republican activist Susan Wright is in a runoff with state Rep. Jake Ellzey to fill the unexpired term of the late U.S. Rep. Ron Wright. — Dallas News, "Susan Wright vs. Jake Ellzey renews rivalry, with Donald Trump, Rick Perry as key players," 3 May 2021 The Pentagon banned service members from using TikTok in late 2019, and numerous federal agencies also banned TikTok on government devices. — Jerry Dunleavy, Washington Examiner, "TikTok picks CEO linked to blacklisted Chinese companies deemed national security threats by US," 30 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb Coach Sandy Brondello still is integrating late arriving players into camp while trying to decide who will have to go by the Thursday roster deadline. — Jeff Metcalfe, The Arizona Republic, "Preseason game vs. Seattle, camp cuts ahead for Phoenix Mercury," 7 May 2021 The men have been on different tracks of late: Posey’s homer gave him 16 hits in 26 at-bats, while Slater’s ended an 11 at-bat hitless streak. — Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, "Opposite-field homers by Buster Posey, Austin Slater help Giants top Padres 5-4," 7 May 2021 The Tigers also made errors early and late in the game. — Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, "Better offense is a positive, but Detroit Tigers find other ways to lose," 6 May 2021 Meanwhile, beyond the understatements, a whole new and opposite and proactive category of baseball mealy-mouthing has arisen of late: overstatements not designed to forestall depression but to advance elation. — Washington Post, "Gene Weingarten: Take me out to the Old. Word. Game.," 6 May 2021 Portland’s improved defense as of late should provide trouble for the Lakers who will be without their best player in James and their lead guard in Schroder. — oregonlive, "Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Game preview, time, TV channel, how to watch free live stream online," 6 May 2021 But migrant crossings have surged more of late in Del Rio and the nearby border city of Eagle Pass than in most other border crossings. — Dudley Althaus, San Antonio Express-News, "From ruined economies to tiny Del Rio," 6 May 2021 Oshkosh Defense almost never runs late or over budget on a military contract, even in the midst of a global pandemic. — Loren Thompson, Forbes, "Oshkosh’s Latest Bid To Grow Its Military Vehicle Footprint Could Change The Industry," 4 May 2021 Bojan Bogdanovic* was the most efficient source of Jazz offense all night, making big buckets early and late in this game to push the Jazz over the top on a second night of a back to back. — Andy Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, "The Triple Team: Bojan Bogdanovic scores efficiently, Trent Forrest makes contribution in Jazz vs. Raptors," 1 May 2021

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.