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

Bautista was originally set to face Marlon Vera, but the latter was forced to pull out. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025

Notable too is the casting of Hawaiian actors to play Lilo, Nani and the latter’s romantic interest, David (Kaipo Dudoit). —Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025

The Moscow patriarch’s relationship with Pope Leo XIV is still in early development, just weeks after the latter’s election. —Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 23 May 2025

Tavares, Panarin, and Johnny Gaudreau are three rare examples of the latter; Tavares left the Islanders for the Maple Leafs, Panarin from the Blue Jackets to Rangers, and Gaudreau from the Flames to Blue Jackets. —Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 22 May 2025

Rhymes for the latter

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