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

This means that most families naturally gravitate towards staying in rooms near the former, and couples towards the latter. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Moore was initially facing charges of breaking or entering, resisting a public officer and assault of a government official or employee, but the latter two charges have since been dismissed. —Jericka Duncan, CBS News, 2 June 2026

News reports claimed the relationship between co-founders Sanberg and Cherny later soured before the latter was fired by the board, and Aspiration instead pivoted to selling carbon credits as company growth slowed. —Andrea Klick, Oc Register, 2 June 2026

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops lobbied for the funds during Legislative Session along with a broader statewide reimbursement program for Catholic school security expenses, but the latter was not included in the final budget agreement. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026

Rhymes for the latter

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