Definition of 'late'

Word Frequency

late

(leɪt )

Word forms: comparative later , superlative latest

1. adverb

Late means near the end of a day, week, year, or other period of time.

It was late in the afternoon. [+ in]

She had to work late at night. [+ at]

His autobiography was written late in life. [+ in]

The case is expected to end late next week.

Since late last year the border area has been the scene of heavy fighting.

Late is also an adjective.

The talks eventually broke down in late spring.

He was in his late 20s.

...the late 1960s.

2. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]

If it is late, it is near the end of the day or it is past the time that you feel something should have been done.

It was very late and the streets were deserted.

We've got to go now. It's getting late.

lateness uncountable noun

A large crowd had gathered despite the lateness of the hour. [+ of]

Synonyms: delay, late date, retardation, tardiness More Synonyms of late

3. adverb [ADVERB after verb]

Late means after the time that was arranged or expected.

Steve arrived late.

The talks began some fifteen minutes late.

We got up late.

Synonyms: behind time, belatedly, tardily, behindhand More Synonyms of late

Late is also an adjective.

His campaign got off to a late start.

We were a little late.

The train was 40 minutes late.

He's a half hour late.

lateness uncountable noun

He apologised for his lateness.

4. adverb [ADVERB after verb]

Late means after the usual time that a particular event or activity happens.

We went to bed very late.

He married late.

Synonyms: late at night, in the night, L8 [text messaging] More Synonyms of late

Late is also an adjective.

They had a late lunch in a cafe.

He was a very late developer.

5. adjective

You use late when you are talking about someone who is dead, especially someone who has died recently.

...my late husband.

...the late Mr Parkin.

Synonyms: dead, deceased, departed [euphemistic], passed on More Synonyms of late

6. adjective

Someone who is late of a particular place or institution lived or worked there until recently.

[formal]

...Cousin Zachary, late of Bellevue Avenue. [+ of]

The restaurant is managed by Angelo, late of the Savoy Grill. [+ of]

7. See also later, latest

See better late than never

See late in the day

10.

See of late

11.

See too late

12. a late night

More Synonyms of late

Video: pronunciation of
late

late in British English

(leɪt )

adjective

occurring or arriving after the correct or expected time

the train was late

2. (prenominal)

occurring, scheduled for, or being at a relatively advanced time

a late marriage

3. (prenominal)

towards or near the end

the late evening

at an advanced time in the evening or at night

it was late

5. (prenominal)

occurring or being just previous to the present time

his late remarks on industry

6. (prenominal)

having died, esp recently

my late grandfather

7. (prenominal)

just preceding the present or existing person or thing; former

the late manager of this firm

8. See of late

adverb

after the correct or expected time

he arrived late

10.

at a relatively advanced age

she married late

11.

recently; lately

as late as yesterday he was selling books

12. See late hours

13. See late in the day

▶ USAGE Since late can mean deceased, many people think it is better to avoid using this word to refer to the person who held a post or position before its present holder: the previous (not the late) editor of The Times

Derived forms

lateness (ˈlateness)

noun

Word origin

Old English læt; related to Old Norse latr, Gothic lats

Word Frequency

late in American English

(leɪt )

adjectiveWord forms: ˈlater or ˈlatter, ˈlatest or last

happening, coming, etc. after the usual, proper, or expected time; tardy; behindhand

happening, being, continuing, etc. far on in the day, night, year, etc.

the late afternoon, a late party

happening, being, continuing, etc. toward the end; far advanced in a period, development, etc.

the late Middle Ages

happening, appearing, etc. just previous to the present time; recent

a late news bulletin

having been so recently but not now

the late allies

having recently died

adverbWord forms: ˈlater, ˈlatest or last

after the usual, proper, or expected time; tardily

at or until an advanced time of the day, night, year, etc.

toward the end of a given period, development, etc.

recently; lately

as late as yesterday

SIMILAR WORDS: dead

Idioms:

late on

of late

Derived forms

lateness (ˈlateness)

noun

Word origin

ME < OE læt, slow, sluggish, tardy, akin to Du laat, Ger lass, slow, lazy < IE *lēid < base *lēi-, to neglect, let go > let1, L lassus, weak

Word Frequency

late in American English

(leit) (adjective later or latter, latest or last, adverb later, latest)

adjective

occurring, coming, or being after the usual or proper time

late frosts

a late spring

continued until after the usual time or hour; protracted

a late business meeting

near or at the end of day or well into the night

a late hour

belonging to the time just before the present moment; most recent

a late news bulletin

immediately preceding the present one; former

the late attorney general

recently deceased

the late Mr. Phipps

occurring at an advanced stage in life

a late marriage

belonging to an advanced period or stage in the history or development of something

the late phase of feudalism

9. See of late

adverb

10.

after the usual or proper time, or after delay

to arrive late

11.

until after the usual time or hour; until an advanced hour, esp. of the night

to work late

12.

at or to an advanced time, period, or stage

The flowers keep their blossoms late in warm climates

13.

recently but no longer

a man late of Chicago, now living in Philadelphia

Derived forms

lateness

noun

Word origin

[bef. 900; ME; OE læt slow, late; c. G lass slothful, ON latr, Goth lats slow, lazy, L lassus tired]

Examples of 'late' in a sentence
late

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…

In the Old Kingdom, beyond the Wall that lay thirty miles to the north, it was late autumn.The Fardohnyans realised too late that they were being taken from behind.Then, one day in late August, reality reentered the picture.