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
Two reps later, Nix saw blitz and — with a veteran’s cool — checked into a quick-hit to Evan Engram, who sped for 20 yards. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025 Bank of America reiterates Alphabet as buy The firm raised its price target to $280 per share from $252 ahead of Alphabet earnings later this month. Michael Bloom, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025 Things heated up later that month, when the couple was spotted sharing a kiss during a Los Angeles date night at Sushi Park. Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025 The council is reportedly expected to release initial findings later this fall and a final report in 2026. Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 20 Oct. 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 23 Oct. 2025.

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