later

1 of 2

adverb

lat·​er ˈlā-tər 

: at some time subsequent to a given time : subsequently, afterward

one week later

they later regretted the decision

—often used with on

experience that will be useful later on

-later

2 of 2

noun combining form

: worshipper

bibliolater

Synonyms of later

Adverb

• afterward
• after
• thereafter

Examples of later in a Sentence

Adverb

I'll talk to you again later.

They later regretted the decision.

She returned several weeks later.

I saw him again later that morning.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

The child reportedly was found unresponsive in a bedroom inside the burning building and later transported to a Boston-area hospital. —Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026

Bernal served for years as a lawmaker and later as national coordinator of the government’s food distribution system, giving him influence over a critical tool of social control during the country’s economic collapse. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026

The focus later this week will be the jobs report, with economists forecasting 54,000 new jobs added in December. —Sean Conlon,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2026

Officers returned later when coworkers and a friend reported hearing children inside the home and seeing Spencer’s body near a bed. —Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

see late entry 1

Noun combining form

French -latre, from Late Latin -latres, from Greek -latrēs; akin to Greek latron pay

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing later

• at a later/future date
• later on
• no/not later than
• see you (around/later)
• sooner or later
• sooner rather than later

Rhymes for later

• cater
• crater
• frater
• freighter
• gator
• grater
• accelerator
• accumulator
• adjudicator
• administrator
• appropriator
• articulator