later

adverb lat·er \ ˈlā-tər \

Definition of later

:at some time subsequent to a given time :subsequently, afterward

one week later

they later regretted the decision

—often used with on

experience that will be useful later on

See later defined for English-language learners

Examples of later in a Sentence

I'll talk to you again later.
They later regretted the decision.
She returned several weeks later.
I saw him again later that morning.

Recent Examples of later from the Web

With some good fortunate Long will be ready to go sooner rather than later.

— brad biggs, chicagotribune.com, "Bears Q&A: Pursuing Joe Haden, Mitch Trubisky's next start, roster locks and more," 30 Aug. 2017
The projectile’s sea splashdown was announced later to ease fears.

— andy sharp, Bloomberg.com, "North Korea’s Missile Over Japan Bolsters Abe’s Quest for Stronger Defense," 29 Aug. 2017
Other major basketball programs have followed Mack's example, tweeting out later their intentions to send gear to Sampson to aid his efforts to assist the Houston community.

— patrick brennan, Cincinnati.com, "Chris Mack, Xavier answer call for help from Houston, Hurricane Harvey," 29 Aug. 2017
Recess activities and physical education are limited or rescheduled for later.

— gary warth, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Some schools to hold half-day sessions to beat the heat Tuesday," 28 Aug. 2017
The brothers later confessed to the crime in an interview with Look magazine.

— paula rogo, Essence.com, "Emmett Till Was Murdered 62 Years Ago, But Sadly, America Is More Of The Same," 28 Aug. 2017
Nestled amid several dozen hilly acres in Ozark County, in what would later become Trump’s America, 16 people once banded together to help spread socialism.

— max londberg, kansascity, "Dark rituals? Orgies? See the reality of a hippie commune deep in Missouri’s Bible Belt," 27 Aug. 2017
Two plays later, Mishawaka quarterback Sam Shively caught an 11-yard pass from Isaiah Evans for a TD.

— mike hutton, Post-Tribune, "Jesse Harper leads way as Valparaiso gets validation with win over Mishawaka," 26 Aug. 2017
Because later in the lyric video, the same image of snakes eating their own tails is shattered.

— kayleigh roberts, Marie Claire, "Taylor Swift's New Song Is Full of Secret Meanings—Here's a Breakdown of Each One," 25 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'later.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of later

see ¹late

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First Known Use: 13th century

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later Synonyms

Synonyms

afterward (or afterwards), after, latterly, subsequently, thereafter

Antonyms

afore [chiefly dialect], ahead, antecedently, anteriorly, before, beforehand, earlier, previously

Related Words

next; by and by, hereafter, presently, since, soon, then, thereupon; hereinbelow, infra

Near Antonyms

formerly; heretofore, theretofore

-later

noun combining form

Definition of -later

:worshipper

bibliolater

Origin and Etymology of -later

French -latre, from Late Latin -latres, from Greek -latrēs; akin to Greek latron pay

LATER Defined for English Language Learners

later

adverb

Definition of later for English Language Learners

: at a time in the future : at a time following an earlier time

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-later

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