First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1late
adjective \ˈlāt\
: existing or happening near the end of a period of time
: coming or happening after the usual, expected, or desired time
: doing something after the usual time or before others usually do
lat·erlat·est
Full Definition of LATE
1
a (1) : coming or remaining after the due, usual, or proper time <a late spring> (2) : of, relating to, or imposed because of tardiness b : of or relating to an advanced stage in point of time or development <the late Middle Ages>; especially : far advanced toward the close of the day or night <late hours>
2
a : living comparatively recently : now deceased —used of persons <the late John Doe> and often with reference to a specific relationship or status <his late wife> b : being something or holding some position or relationship recently but not now <the late belligerents> c : made, appearing, or happening just previous to the present time especially as the most recent of a succession <our late quarrel>
— late·ness noun
See late defined for English-language learners
See late defined for kids
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Origin of LATE
Middle English, late, slow, from Old English læt; akin to Old High German laz slow, Old English lǣtan to let
Related to LATE
- Synonyms
- behind, behindhand, belated, delinquent, latish, overdue, tardy
- Antonyms
- early, inopportune, precocious, premature, unseasonable, untimely
Synonym Discussion of LATE
dead, defunct, deceased, departed, late mean devoid of life. dead applies literally to what is deprived of vital force but is used figuratively of anything that has lost any attribute (as energy, activity, radiance) suggesting life <a dead, listless performance>. defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation <a defunct television series>. deceased , departed , and late apply to persons who have died recently. deceased is the preferred term in legal use <the estate of the deceased>. departed is used usually as a euphemism <our departed sister>. late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status <the company's late president>.
2late
adverb
: at or near the end of a period of time or a process, activity, series, etc.
: after the usual or expected time
lat·erlat·est
Full Definition of LATE
1
a : after the usual or proper time <got to work late> b : at or to an advanced point of time
2
: not long ago : recently <a writer late of Chicago>
— of late
: in the period shortly or immediately preceding : recently <has been sick of late>
See late defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of LATE
before 12th century
Related to LATE
- Synonyms
- belatedly, delinquently, tardily
- Antonyms
- beforehand, early, inopportunely, precociously, prematurely, unseasonably
LATE Defined for Kids
1late
adjective \ˈlāt\
lat·erlat·est
Definition of LATE for Kids
1
: coming or occurring after the usual or proper time <a late spring>
2
: coming or occurring toward the end <He married in his late twenties.>
3
: having died or recently left a certain position <the late president>
2late
adverb
lat·erlat·est
Definition of LATE for Kids
1
: after the usual or proper time <We arrived late.>
2
: near the end of something <We'll see you late next week.>
— of late
: lately <I have not seen him of late.>
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