late

LAYT/leɪt/

Adjectivelater, latest

Adverblater, latest

13 meanings of late

Practice

1
overdueadjective
Coming or happening after the expected or planned time.
The bus was late, so we missed the start of the movie.
Sorry I'm late. There was a lot of traffic this morning.
UsageSay late for school or late for work.
Similardelayed, overdue, tardy, behind
Oppositeearly, punctual, prompt
Note
2
near the endadjective
Near the end of a period of time, like a month, an age in history, or someone's life.
We planted the tomatoes in late spring.
Grandpa learned to swim in his late sixties.
UsageSay in late May or in her late twenties.
Oppositeearly
3
adverb
After the time when something was supposed to happen or be done.
I turned in my homework late and lost points.
The train left ten minutes late.
UsageSay come late. Too late means the chance is gone.
Similarbelatedly, tardily
Oppositeearly, punctually, promptly
4
toward nightadjective
Near the end of the day, in the evening or at night.
It's late. You should go to bed.
We ate a late supper after the game.
UsageSay it's getting late or a late night.
Oppositeearly
5
recentadjective
Happening or made only a short time ago.
UsageFor this meaning, recent is usually clearer: the recent unrest.
Similarrecent
Note
6
deadadjectiveeuphemistic
A polite word for someone who has died, used before their name.
My late grandfather built this house himself.
The school gym is named after the late mayor.
UsagePut it before the noun: my late grandfather. He is late means not on time, not dead.
Similardeceased, departed
Note

Less common meanings

7
in recent timesadverb
Not long ago, in recent days or weeks.
She has seemed tired of late.
Of late, the bus has been crowded every morning.
UsageSay lately. Of late means the same but sounds formal.
Similarrecently
Note
8
formeradjectivedated
Holding a job or position until a short time ago, but not anymore.
By Edvvard Reynoldes, late Preacher to the Honorable Society of Lincoln’s Inne: And now Rector of the Church of Braunſton in Northamptonſhire.
1640, Edvvard Reynoldes, A Treatise of the Passions and Facvlties of the Soul of Man. With the severall Dignities and Corruptions thereunto…Here, late means former, holding that job recently but no longer.
the late administration
UsageThe late + a person usually means dead. To say only that someone left a job, former is clearer.
Similarformer, previous, erstwhile
Oppositecurrent, present, incumbent
Note
9
missed periodadjective
Not having had a monthly period at the time it was expected.
She was a week late and bought a pregnancy test.
My periods always come on time, but this month I'm almost a week late.
UsageMy period is late is clearer than I'm late.
Similaroverdue
Oppositeearly
Note
10
night shiftnouncolloquialcountable
A work shift near the end of the day or at night.
Dad's on a late tonight, so we'll eat dinner without him.
She swapped her late for a morning shift.
UsageSay work a late or be on late.
Oppositeearly
11
formerly ofadverb
Until a short time ago, used to say where someone worked or served before.
Mr. Ruiz, late of the city fire department, now teaches safety classes.
Our new neighbor, late of Texas, misses the warm winters.
UsageSay a name, then late of a place or group.
Similarformerly, previously
12
adverb
Near the end of a period of time, or until a time far into the night.
We stayed up late talking about old times.
The flowers bloom late in the summer.
UsageSay work late. Lately means recently.
Oppositeearly
Note
13
adjective
Describing a star from the cooler end of the star types, such as the small red stars.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of late apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Old English "læt," meaning slow or late. It goes back to older Germanic words meaning slow or lazy.

Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

English late derives from Old English læt, meaning slow or late. en.wiktionary.org
The word descends from older Germanic forms meaning slow or lazy. en.wiktionary.org