later

1 of 2

adverb

lat·​er ˈlā-tər How to pronounce later (audio)
: 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

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
He was released later that evening with a $500 bond assessment, according to online records. Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 19 Nov. 2023 The work is Sisyphean: Move the pile from one spot this week, then go through the whole process again a week later. John Leland, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2023 One girl and the woman were pronounced dead at the scene and the other girl was transported to the hospital in critical condition. About an hour later, officers arrived at Warrington Road for another shooting where a woman was found with an apparent gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene. Landon Mion, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2023 However, the Razorbacks rallied later in the quarter, moving 66 yards in six plays, capped by Jefferson's pass to Sategna on a deep post. Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 19 Nov. 2023 A day later, on November 10, the family reported Willis missing. Nicolás Viñuela, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2023 Police said one of the officers, a 20-year-old woman, was later pronounced dead. Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2023 Galyon, who had to run, sang a quick vocal for the demo, fully intending to improve on it later. Tom Roland, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2023 He was later taken to a hospital for treatment after being stunned. Luke Barr, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'later.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of later was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near later

Cite this Entry

“Later.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/later. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

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