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

Another Aura Phantasm design that is meant as an upgrade to the Vierres, with the latter starting pre-orders today in Japan. —Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025

Anyone who grew up in the latter half of the 20th century understands the social and cultural impact made by Volkswagen’s Type 1, built from 1938 to 2003, and first marketed as the Beetle in 1968. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025

Hikaru Kondo, the movie’s general director, wrote the lyrics and the composition and arrangement were handled by the composers of the film’s soundtrack — the former by Go Shiina, the latter by Shiina and Sachiko Miyano. —Billboard Japan, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025

For the latter, he was nominated five times for the Image Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025

Rhymes for the latter

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