the latter

noun

1

: the second one of two things or people that have been mentioned

Of these two options, the former is less expensive, while the latter is less risky.

2

: the last thing or person mentioned

Of chicken, fish, and meat, I like the latter best.

3

: the thing or person that has just been mentioned

The President—or, if the latter is too busy, the Vice President—will see you shortly.

Examples of the latter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One pitcher who falls into the latter category is Jon Lester, who won three World Series championships with the Red Sox and Cubs and who is the other notable newcomer joining Posey on next year’s ballot. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026

The former aspires to global, or at least hemispheric, coverage, while the latter is inevitably a little blinkered. —Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026

Zamiri and Charli ultimately choose the latter pose, which tilts the film into self-serious indulgence. —Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026

Those high in the latter tend to engage more with social justice causes and global issues — another Aquarius signature. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for the latter

• backscatter
• antimatter
• atter
• batter
• blatter
• catarrh
• chatter
• clatter
• fatter
• flatter
• hatter
• matter