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late

adjective
\ ˈlāt How to pronounce late (audio) \
later; latest

Definition of late

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a(1) : coming or remaining after the due, usual, or proper time a late spring was late for class
(2) : of, relating to, or imposed because of tardiness had to pay a late fee
b(1) : of or relating to an advanced stage in point of time or development : occurring near the end of a period of time or series the late Middle Ages
(2) : far advanced toward the close of the day or night late hours
2a : 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

adverb
later; latest

Definition of late (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : 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
Other Words from late Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about late

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Other Words from late

Adjective

lateness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for late

Adjective

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 (such 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

Examples of late in a Sentence

Adjective

 It happened in late spring. a word first recorded in the late 17th century We had a late spring this year. Hurry up or we'll be late for school. Their warning was too late to help him. I've always been a late riser. He made a donation to the school in memory of his late wife.

Adverb

 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. 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!
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Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

 Geopolitical tensions ease Tuesday, stocks opened the month on a low note after the latest round of 15% U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports went into effect. — Benzinga, Detroit Free Press, "Trade hope emerges and the bond rate inversion ends," 8 Sep. 2019 Lauren was the wife of the late Daniel Petisce and is survived by her parents, Noel and Kristine (Gjerpen) Foster of Newington. — courant.com, "Lauren Petisce," 8 Sep. 2019 Even at this late date, expressions of unrealistic hope continue to abound. — Jonathan Franzen, The New Yorker, "What If We Stopped Pretending?," 8 Sep. 2019 Dallas had 107 yards rushing, including a critical 37-yard run on the drive that gave the Hurricanes a late lead. — Scooby Axson, SI.com, "UNC Downs Miami for Second Straight Underdog Win Under Mack Brown," 8 Sep. 2019 Get ready, because Thom Browne is transporting us all back to school with his latest show. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Game of Thrones Met Stranger Things at Thom Browne's NYFW Show," 8 Sep. 2019 With a little help from real clothing that belonged to the late Fred Rogers, Tom Hanks underwent a charming physical transformation to portray the beloved TV icon in Marielle Heller’s A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. — Joey Nolfi, EW.com, "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood," 8 Sep. 2019 On Friday, September 6th Telfar Clemens teased his latest collection at a nondescript location in Brooklyn. — Ashley Rushford, Essence, "NYFW: Inside Telfar's Epic Film Screening Ahead of Paris Fashion Week Debut," 8 Sep. 2019 Alibaba, along with Yunfeng Financial, an investment group backed by Alibaba founder Jack Ma, have entered into an agreement to invest approximately $700 million in NetEase Cloud Music as part of its latest funding round. — Billboard Staff, Billboard, "Alibaba to Acquire Minority Stake in NetEase Cloud Music Streaming Service," 6 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

 DeSean Jackson plans to honor late rapper Nipsey Hussle, who died in a shooting in Los Angeles on March 31, by auctioning off a pair of cleats worn each week during pre-game. — Emily Caron, SI.com, "Eagles' DeSean Jackson to Auction Cleats to Honor Late Rapper Nipsey Hussle," 9 Sep. 2019 But the Gophers pulled off their second late victory in as many weeks to improve to 2-0 this season. — Andy Greder, Twin Cities, "Antoine Winfield deja vu: This time, Gophers top Fresno State 38-35 in 2 OT thriller," 8 Sep. 2019 There were four lead changes in the second set with Maranatha leading as late as 21-18. — Terry Monahan, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Vikings girls volleyball team gets an instant boost," 7 Sep. 2019 After staying up late last night to watch Williams in the semifinals, the Times of London reports that Meghan quickly booked a trip, hopping on a plane just seven hours after Williams won the match. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle Wears a Denim Dress to Watch Serena Williams in the U.S. Open Finals," 7 Sep. 2019 This one, two days after the Americans needed late-game heroics to beat Turkey 93-92 in overtime, was drama-free. — Tim Reynolds, Houston Chronicle, "US rolls by Japan at World Cup, next faces Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece," 5 Sep. 2019 Also, state police have a theory of how Jennifer’s last day went down ... An arrest warrant released late last night outlines investigators’ theory of how Fotis may have killed Jennifer. — courant.com, "Sept. 5, 2019: Movin’ and groovin’ into the second half of the week," 5 Sep. 2019 Alamo Heights bounced back with back-to-back touchdown drives to open the third quarter, but New Braunfels’ late onslaught put the game out of reach. — Tucker Stephenson, ExpressNews.com, "New Braunfels scores 24 unanswered to defeat Alamo Heights," 30 Aug. 2019 This will provide high-octane fuel for Dorian, likely giving the system a boost late this weekend into Monday. — Jeff Berardelli, CBS News, "Here's why Dorian will likely become an intense hurricane by the time it hits the U.S.," 29 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'late.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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