late

1 of 2

adjective

ˈlāt 

later; latest

1

a(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

2

a

: 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

lateness noun

late

2 of 2

adverb

later; latest

1

a

: 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

Phrases

of late

: in the period shortly or immediately preceding : recently

has been sick of late

Synonyms

Adjective

• behind
• behindhand
• belated
• delinquent
• latish
• overdue
• tardy

Adverb

• belatedly
• delinquently
• tardily

Choose the Right Synonym for late

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

When the book came out, McCartney burned it in his fireplace, and his late wife, Linda, photographed the destruction. —Steve Knopper, Billboard, 24 Apr. 2024

Photo : Bob's Watches Another case of Rolex being a little late to a trend, the 1530 is essentially the mechanical predecessor of the Crown’s OysterQuartz. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2024

Veterans Day When the National Park Service announced its free entry days late last year, the inclusion of Juneteenth marked a first for the organization. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2024

The timing of stronger storms will occur late afternoon and evening, according to the weather service. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024

Its latest autonomous vehicle software, which is called Full Self-Driving, still requires human supervision. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024

That adjustment, which was initially rolled out in 2022, reviews borrowers’ accounts and gives them credit for making partial and late payments. —Solcyré Burga, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024

The penalty amounts to 5% of the taxes owed for each month that the filing is late, up to a maximum of 25%. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2024

The University of Michigan’s latest consumer survey showed that sentiment largely held steady in April, according to a preliminary reading, edging lower to a reading of 77.9 from 79.4. —Bryan Mena, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

Adverb

Encampment protests went late into the night at New York University and Columbia University last evening. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 26 Apr. 2024

More than 100 were released during a seven-day cease-fire late last year. —Michele Kelemen, NPR, 25 Apr. 2024

Throughout the forum, Corben and the others put forth their visions for how best to rehabilitate the Miami-Dade Democratic Party after its former chairman Robert Dempster was removed by Florida Democratic leaders late last month. —Max Greenwood, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2024

Several rounds of storms are brewing and threatening to bring severe weather to the Kansas City area late this week and into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024

In July 2022, Aldama was working a Junior Giants game with about 200 kids, when Spurgeon arrived late and disheveled. —Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 24 Apr. 2024

Lee then researched if there were any local opportunities and applied to the Prince George’s program late last year. —Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2024

In a report from Ampere Analysis late last year, which predicted that global streamers could drive 75% growth in sub-Saharan Africa’s subscription video on demand (SVOD) market. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024

Speculation revved up late last year after TMZ published photos of the pair looking pretty close at a tennis fundraiser for the Inspiring Children Foundation, reportedly held on Richard Branson’s Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. —Lisa Respers France, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Adverb

Middle English, late, slow, from Old English læt; akin to Old High German laz slow, Old English lǣtan to let

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing late

• as late as
• born too late
• early/late in the game
• get/have/make a late start
• had a late night
• it's getting late
• late blight
• late bloomer
• late-breaking news
• late in life
• late in the day
• late night
• late of
• of late
• run late
• too little, too late

Kids Definition

late

1 of 2 adjective

ˈlāt 

later; latest

1

a

: coming or remaining after the due, usual, or proper time

a late spring

b

: of or relating to an advanced stage in time or development

the late Middle Ages

especially : far advanced toward the close of the day or night

late hours

2

a

: having died or held some position or relationship recently

the late president

b

: recent sense 1b

a late discovery

lateness noun

late

2 of 2 adverb

later; latest

1

a

: after the usual or proper time

came in late

b

: at or to an advanced point in time

later in the day

2

: not long ago

a musician late of Chicago

Etymology

Adjective

Old English læt "late, slow" — related to last entry 4