# late

Pronunciation: say "LAYT" /leɪt/

## Adjective

1. Not arriving, happening or being done until after the expected or scheduled time; also, charged because something was late, as in a late fee.
   - Simple: Coming or happening after the expected or planned time.
   - _The flight was three hours late because of storms over Denver._
   - _Her rent check was late for the second month in a row._
2. Near the end of a period of time, such as a month, season, historical era, or someone's life or career, or belonging to that end part.
   - Simple: Near the end of a period of time, like a month, an age in history, or someone's life.
   - _By late October, most of the trees had lost their leaves._
   - _He moved to the city in his late twenties and never left._
4. Near the end of the day; toward evening or into the night.
   - Simple: Near the end of the day, in the evening or at night.
   - _The streets were empty because it was late and most shops had closed._
   - _He caught a late train home after the concert._
5. Recent; having occurred, appeared, or been mentioned only a short time ago.
   - Simple: Happening or made only a short time ago.
6. Deceased; used before a person's name or title, especially when speaking of what they did while alive.
   - Simple: A polite word for someone who has died, used before their name.
   - _Her late husband collected stamps for more than forty years._
   - _The scholarship was created by the late Dr. Alvarez in 1998._
9. Not yet having started a menstrual period that was due.
   - Simple: Not having had a monthly period at the time it was expected.
   - _Her cycle was usually regular, so when she was eight days late, she called her gynecologist._
   - _Travel, illness, and stress can all make someone late without pregnancy being the cause._

## Adverb

3. After a deadline has passed; past a designated or scheduled time.
   - Simple: After the time when something was supposed to happen or be done.
   - _Taxes filed late can trigger penalties and interest._
   - _The shipment arrived late, throwing off the entire production schedule._
7. In the recent past, up to the present time; lately.
   - Simple: Not long ago, in recent days or weeks.
   - _Attendance at the weekly meetings has dropped off of late._
   - _Of late, critics have warmed to her early novels._
11. Formerly; until recently, used especially of past service in a military unit or past membership in an organization.
   - Simple: Until a short time ago, used to say where someone worked or served before.
   - _Captain Hale, late of the 7th Infantry, addressed the veterans' dinner._
   - _The lecture was given by Dr. Imani, late of the national observatory._
12. Toward the end of a period of time, or at or until a time far on in the day or night.
   - Simple: Near the end of a period of time, or until a time far into the night.
   - _She often works late when a big project is due._
   - _The team scored twice late in the fourth quarter to win._

## Noun

10. A scheduled work shift that takes place toward the end of the day or at night. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: A work shift near the end of the day or at night.
   - _After working a late, he finds it hard to fall asleep before two._
   - _The newest nurses get most of the lates this month._

## Adjective

8. Recently departed from a position or office, or recently existing but no longer in place. *(dated)*
   - Simple: Holding a job or position until a short time ago, but not anymore.

## Other meanings

- (adjective) Of a star or spectral class: toward the cooler end of the spectral sequence, such as K and M stars, or toward the cooler end within a class.

## Origin

From Middle English "late," from Old English "læt" (slow, slack, negligent, late), from Proto-West Germanic "*lat" and Proto-Germanic "*lataz" (slow, lazy). It is related to Dutch and Low German "laat" (late), Danish "lad" (languid, lazy), Icelandic "latur" (lazy), and Gothic "lats" (lazy, slothful).

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/late (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).