later

1 of 2

adverb

lat·​er ˈlā-tər How to pronounce later (audio)
: 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

-later

2 of 2

noun combining form

: worshipper
bibliolater

Examples of later in a Sentence

Adverb 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 on the Web
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Adverb
There was also a dull 1-1 draw with Scotland in their final Nations League game a few days later. Megan Feringa, New York Times, 28 June 2025 Hamilton returned the favor in Barcelona a month later. Sean Gregory, Time, 27 June 2025 Bojack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg later called the 2014 iteration the best TV show of the decade. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 27 June 2025 The second single serves as a glimpse into Wonho’s first full-length album, slated for release later this year. Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for later

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

see late entry 1

Noun combining form

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

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of later was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Later.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/later. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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