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
Auger-Aliassime played some of his best tennis since the early 2020s in the second and fourth sets, winning the former and having Sinner on the edge of going a break down for 3-1 in the latter, before the Italian escaped.
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Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Bergner’s, which became Carson Pirie Scott, and JCPenney came later, the latter replaced by Kohl’s.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
The majority voted for the latter.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Hailey showed her enthusiasm for the latter on Instagram.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the latter
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Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Bergner’s, which became Carson Pirie Scott, and JCPenney came later, the latter replaced by Kohl’s.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
The majority voted for the latter.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Hailey showed her enthusiasm for the latter on Instagram.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the latter
Cite this Entry
“The latter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20latter. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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