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

In China’s civilization-building cause, the former was an ideological adversary; the latter could become an ally. —Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026

The central chord progression’s pads and low-end synths begin at low volumes and swell upward as that resonant grain bites into the mix, the latter doing so with gate and delay effects before spiralling back downward. —Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2026

However, Fergie and Diana had a falling out shortly before the latter’s death. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 7 Mar. 2026

The spa There are spas and then there are spas… the Regent Santa Monica’s 10,000-square spa, is the latter. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2026

Rhymes for the latter

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