Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Happening or arriving after the expected or usual time: Refers to something occurring beyond the scheduled or proper time.
   • Being at an advanced point in time or period: Refers to a point far on in a period of time (e.g., a day, an era, one's life).
   • Of a person: having recently died: Used to refer to someone who has died, especially recently.
   • Recent or belonging to the immediate past: Pertaining to a time just before the present.

2. Adverb:

   • After the expected, scheduled, or usual time: Refers to doing something or something happening after the proper time.
   • At or into an advanced point of a period of time: Refers to a point far on in a day, night, season, or process.
   • In the recent past; not long ago: Refers to a time shortly before the present.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The train was late again this morning. (The train arrived after its scheduled time.)
  • She prefers late night walks. (She prefers walks occurring far into the night.)
  • We remember the contributions of the late professor. (We remember the professor who has died.)
  • This is a late development in the negotiations. (This is a recent development.)

• Adverb:

  • He arrived late to the meeting. (He arrived after the meeting's start time.)
  • The store is open late on Fridays. (The store remains open until an advanced hour on Fridays.)
  • I saw her as late as yesterday. (I saw her in the recent past, specifically yesterday.)

Advanced Usage

• "of late": Recently; in the recent past.

  • He has been very busy of late. (He has been very busy recently.)

• "late in the day":

  • At a late stage in a process, often too late to be effective.

    • Changing the design now is late in the day. (It is a very late stage to make changes.)
  • Literally, during the late afternoon.

    • We finished the hike late in the day. (We finished the hike in the late afternoon.)

• "the late [Name]": A formal or respectful way to refer to a person who has died.

  • The foundation was established by the late John Smith. (The foundation was established by John Smith, who is now deceased.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lately (adverb): In the recent past; recently.
  • I haven't seen him lately.
• Later (comparative adjective/adverb): At a time in the future; after the present time.
  • We can discuss this later.
• Latest (superlative adjective): Most recent.
  • Have you read his latest book?
• Latter (adjective): Referring to the second or last mentioned of two things.
  • Of the two options, I prefer the latter.

Synonyms

• Adjective (tardy): Delayed, behind schedule, overdue.
• Adjective (recent): Fresh, new, previous.
• Adverb (belatedly): Tardily, behindhand.
• Adverb (recently): Lately, newly, not long ago.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Run late: To be behind schedule.
  • I'm running late for my appointment. (I am behind schedule and will arrive after the expected time.)
• Stay up late: To remain awake until a late hour.
  • The students stayed up late studying. (The students remained awake studying until a late hour at night.)

Related Idioms

• Better late than never: It is better for something to happen or be done late than for it not to happen at all.
  • He finally apologized—better late than never.
• It's never too late: There is always time to start doing something good or worthwhile.
  • You can learn a new language at any age; it's never too late.
• Late in the game: At a late stage in a process or activity.
  • Pulling out of the deal late in the game caused many problems.

Adjective

1. (used especially of persons) of the immediate past
   • the former president
   • our late President is still very active
   • the previous occupant of the White House
2. at or toward an end or late period or stage of development
   • the late phase of feudalism
   • a later symptom of the disease
   • later medical science could have saved the child
3. of a later stage in the development of a language or literature; used especially of dead languages
   • Late Greek
4. having died recently
   • her late husband
5. of the immediate past or just previous to the present time
   • a late development
   • their late quarrel
   • his recent trip to Africa
   • in recent months
   • a recent issue of the journal
6. after the expected or usual time; delayed
   • a belated birthday card
   • I'm late for the plane
   • the train is late
   • tardy children are sent to the principal
   • always tardy in making dental appointments
7. being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
   • late evening
   • late 18th century
   • a late movie
   • took a late flight
   • had a late breakfast

Adverb

1. in the recent past
   • he was in Paris recently
   • lately the rules have been enforced
   • as late as yesterday she was fine
   • feeling better of late
   • the spelling was first affected, but latterly the meaning also
2. at an advanced age or stage
   • she married late
   • undertook the project late in her career
3. to an advanced time
   • deep into the night
   • talked late into the evening
4. later than usual or than expected
   • the train arrived late
   • we awoke late
   • the children came late to school
   • notice came so tardily that we almost missed the deadline
   • I belatedly wished her a happy birthday