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

Nissan is the latest automaker to offer a hands-free driving mode. — Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, "Nissan Now Has a Hands-Free Highway Driving System to Rival Cadillac's Super Cruise," 17 May 2019 The latest episode of Game of Thrones ended (spoilers ahead) with Daenerys Targaryen dracarys-ing nearly everything and everyone in King's Landing, while the other characters watched in horror. — Glamour, "This Season 1 Scene With Jaime and Jon Might Predict the Game of Thrones Finale," 14 May 2019 Kate's late grandmother, Valerie Glassborow, actually worked at the Park. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Kate Middleton Rewears Polka-Dot Dress to Commemorate D-Day's 75th Anniversary at Bletchley Park," 14 May 2019 Daenerys Targaryen went full Mad Queen on the latest episode of Game of Thrones, burning King's Landing to the ground even after the King's Guard laid down their weapons. — Julie Kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Emilia Clarke Reacts to Daenerys's Shocking Game of Thrones Massacre," 13 May 2019 Its latest launch, which comes with its brand-new Clover Collection, is no exception. — Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, "Too Faced Dropped a Puppy-Themed Highlighter, and It's Almost Too Cute to Use," 8 May 2019 To explain Lori's departure, the latest episode began with Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow) writing a letter to a friend about all the changes happening in Hope Valley — including what's going on with Lori's character, Abigail. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "‘When Calls the Heart' Creator Drops a BIG Clue That Lori Loughlin's Character Abigail May Come Back," 6 May 2019 In the latest episode of Game of Thrones, Arya finally put her faceless assassin skills to the test and killed the Night King during the Battle of Winterfell in one of the series’ biggest twists ever. — Sara Delgado, Teen Vogue, "Maisie Williams Thought People Would Underestimate Arya Stark and Her Destiny in "Game of Thrones"," 29 Apr. 2019 In one ongoing experiment that began in 1959, researchers in Siberia led by the late Dmitry Belyaev bred only the most docile silver foxes (a variant of standard red foxes, not George Clooney and his ilk). — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "Why Are Some Animals Impossible To Domesticate?," 13 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

Furthermore the ships are five years late and, without LRLAP ammunition, cannot fulfill their original mission. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "After Only 3 Years in Service, the USS Zumwalt’s Mission Is Changing," 17 May 2019 Luckily for lovers of tie-dye and retro streetwear that's been making a comeback as of late, Pull&Bear and music powerhouse Primavera Sound have banded together for a clothing line perfect for any music festival. — Gabe Bergado, Teen Vogue, "The Pull&Bear and Primavera Sound Collection Is a Tie-Dye, Neon Dream Fit for Summer Music Festivals," 17 May 2019 Better late than never: Attorney General William Barr has tasked U.S. Attorney John Durham to investigate the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation. — Kimberley A. Strassel, WSJ, "Bull Durham at Justice," 16 May 2019 With bright pastel makeup statements sweeping red carpets and Instagram feeds as of late, actress Sophie Turner has offered a refreshing alternative for lids craving creativity. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "Sophie Turner's Cool-Girl Makeup Is Straight Out of Winterfell," 15 May 2019 My period was several months late, a fact that absolutely had me on edge. — Leah Campbell, Glamour, "I Lost My Fertility at 26," 23 Apr. 2019 The University of Washington on Tuesday cancelled classes at all its Puget Sound campuses while Seattle University and Seattle Pacific University indicated that school would open late. — Christine Clarridge, The Seattle Times, "Snow, ice, school closures in Seattle area — and there’s more on the way," 5 Feb. 2019 Some smaller polling places may open as late as noon. — Tim Ryan Williams, Vox, "Can you take paid time off work to vote? It may depend where you live.," 6 Nov. 2018 Stocks wobbled between small gains and losses for much of the day before surging late in the session. — Avantika Chilkoti, WSJ, "U.S. Stocks Rally to Put S&P 500, Nasdaq at New Records," 26 Apr. 2019

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.