latest
- 1Most recent, or newest, coming after all the others in a series so far.
The company unveiled its latest smartphone at the conference this week.
Critics praised the director's latest film as her finest work yet.
UsageYour latest book is the newest so far; your last book may be the one before it, or your final one.
- 2The most recent thing, especially the newest news or information about a subject.
Reporters gathered outside, eager for the latest on the negotiations.
For the latest in graphics technology, gamers follow these annual showcases.
UsageUsually the latest, followed by on, about or in for the topic: the latest on the talks.
Note
Used as a noun, it usually follows the and stands for the newest news or developments, as when reporters wait for the latest on a negotiation. With a possessive it can mean a person's newest romantic partner: "Have you met Jane's latest?" This is a casual, gossipy use.
- 3No later than the time mentioned, giving the final acceptable moment for an action.
All payments must reach the office latest by the 15th of each month.
The contractor says the kitchen will be finished by Wednesday latest.
UsageA clipped form of at the latest; in careful writing use the full phrase after the time: by five at the latest.
Oppositeearliest
Less common meanings
- 4Superlative of late: furthest past the usual or expected time, or furthest on in a day or other period.
Ten o'clock is the latest bedtime we allow on school nights, though weekends are a little looser.
She chose the latest slot on the calendar so everyone could attend.
UsageCan be read two ways: the latest train may be the last one of the day or the newest one on the timetable.
Note
This is simply the superlative of late. It ranks positions in time: the latest flight of the day is the one that leaves last, and the latest bedtime allowed is the one furthest into the evening. It differs from the "most recent" meaning, which picks out the newest thing so far.
- 5Superlative of late.
On Saturdays the youngest of the three girls sleeps latest, often not coming downstairs until noon.
Of the guests, he left latest, helping clear the tables before going.
UsageUsually after the verb, often with of all: stayed latest of all. For a deadline, say by Friday at the latest.
Note
The adverb compares when an action happens: who finished latest, who stayed latest at the party, which child sleeps latest on a Saturday. Unlike the "no later than" meaning, it sets no deadline; it simply marks who came last in time.
- 6Last or final, marking the very end of a series or of life itself.
Whiles the sad pang approching she does feele, / Brayes out her latest breath, and vp her eyes doth seele.
1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneNote
A poet's word for the very end. Spenser's Faerie Queene (1590) likens a dying woman's groan to a hind that "brayes out her latest breath," which means her last breath, not her newest. Today it belongs to elevated or deliberately old-fashioned writing, chiefly verse. In ordinary prose a reader will hear the "most recent" meaning instead, so write last or final unless the archaic ring is the point.
Showing meanings only.
latest is a form of late
late, adjective: Not arriving, happening or being done until after the expected or scheduled time; also, charged because something was late, as in a late fee. Full entry
- Spelling
- late → latest: add -st
Practice
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Origin
Old English had "latost" (also "lætest") as the superlative of "læt," the word that became English "late"; it passed into Middle English as "lateste."