late
11 ENTRIES FOUND:
later;
latest
later;
latest
Britannica Dictionary definition of LATE
1
:
existing or happening near the end of a period of time
—
opposite early;
see also later
-
It happened in late spring.
-
His health problems began when he was in his late thirties. [=when he was about 38 or 39 years old]
-
The problems began in the late 1930s. [=in about 1938 or 1939]
-
a word first recorded in the late 17th century
-
It was late (in the evening) when we finally went to bed.
2
a
:
coming or happening after the usual, expected, or desired time
—
opposite early
-
The train is (a half hour) late.
-
We had a late spring this year.
-
I'm sorry I'm late.
-
He made a late payment. = He was late with his payment. = He was late (in) paying.
-
Hurry up or we'll be late for school.
-
We arrived late because we got/had/made a late start. [=we started at a later time than we had meant to]
-
Their warning was too late to help him.
b
:
doing something after the usual time or after others usually do
—
opposite early
-
I've always been a late riser.
-
a late walker [=a child who learned to walk at a later age than most other children]
3
always used before a noun
:
living until recently
:
not now living
-
He made a donation to the school in memory of his late wife.
-
the late John Smith
born too late
it's getting late
— used to say that time is passing and especially that evening or late evening is coming
-
It's getting late so we should probably go home.
late bloomer
late in the day
:
after the expected or proper time
-
It's rather late in the day for an apology now, don't you think? [=it's late for an apology; you should have apologized sooner]
late night
:
a night when you stay awake until a late hour
—
see also late-night
-
We're tired today because we had a late night [=stayed up late] last night.
— lateness
noun [noncount]-
the lateness of the hour
-
the lateness of the payment
2
late
/ˈleɪt/
adverb
later;
latest
2
late
/ˈleɪt/
adverb
later;
latest
Britannica Dictionary definition of LATE
1
:
at or near the end of a period of time or a process, activity, series, etc.
—
opposite early
-
Late in the year he became ill.
-
It rained late in the day.
-
Late in his career he moved to the city.
-
a word first recorded late in the 17th century
-
They were trailing by a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
-
The package should be arriving late next week.
2
:
after the usual or expected time
—
opposite early
-
She arrived at work (a half hour) late.
-
He sent in his job application late.
-
They arrived too late for breakfast.
-
I like getting up late.
-
The package arrived late, but better late than never!
-
She's been working late.
-
They stayed late.
as late as
:
as recently as
— used in referring to a time that you think is surprisingly recent
-
The company is now in serious trouble, but it was reporting record profits as late as last year.
late of
formal
:
having recently lived or worked in (a place, a company, etc.)
-
The company's new president is Mark Jones, late of Chicago.
of late
formal
:
during a recent period
-
They have not seen him of late. [=lately, recently]
-
Of late she has been acting strangely.
