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

The unit has an influx of talent in Proctor, Miami’s 2026 first-round pick, as well as promising pieces like Paul and Savaiianae, the latter of whom’s return to the right side could be a huge difference-maker. — Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

At 55-53, San Diego is only 1 1/2 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Philadelphia Phillies; the latter two teams, with identical records, occupy the National League’s second and third wild-card spots. — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Tapping into the latter, Momoa’s onscreen transformation is nothing short of intimidating. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 30 July 2026

Like Paul Schrader’s 1982 version of the latter, this is an upscale genre piece whose pretensions towards Art are upfront, starting with a quotation from no less than Schopenhauer. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 30 July 2026

Rhymes for the latter

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