| English Dictionary |
LATE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does late mean?
• LATE (adjective)
The adjective LATE has 7 senses:
1. being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
2. after the expected or usual time; delayed
3. of the immediate past or just previous to the present time
4. having died recently
5. of a later stage in the development of a language or literature; used especially of dead languages
6. at or toward an end or late period or stage of development
7. (used especially of persons) of the immediate past
Familiarity information: LATE used as an adjective is common.
• LATE (adverb)
The adverb LATE has 4 senses:
1. later than usual or than expected
2. to an advanced time
3. at an advanced age or stage
4. in the recent past
Familiarity information: LATE used as an adverb is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
| Declension: comparative and superlative |
Superlative: latest
Sense 1
Meaning:
Being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
Context example:
had a late breakfast
Similar:
advanced; ripe (far along in time)
after-hours (after closing time especially a legally established closing time)
latish (somewhat late)
posthumous (occurring or coming into existence after a person's death)
Attribute:
timing (the time when something happens)
Antonym:
early (at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time)
middle (between an earlier and a later period of time)
Derivation:
lateness (quality of coming late or later in time)
Sense 2
Meaning:
After the expected or usual time; delayed
Synonyms:
Context example:
always tardy in making dental appointments
Similar:
unpunctual (not punctual; after the appointed time)
Derivation:
lateness (quality of coming late or later in time)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Of the immediate past or just previous to the present time
Synonyms:
late; recent
Context example:
a recent issue of the journal
Similar:
past (earlier than the present time; no longer current)
Derivation:
lateness (quality of coming late or later in time)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Having died recently
Context example:
her late husband
Similar:
dead (no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Of a later stage in the development of a language or literature; used especially of dead languages
Context example:
Late Greek
Similar:
Modern; New (used of a living language; being the current stage in its development)
New (in use after medieval times)
Domain category:
linguistics (the scientific study of language)
Antonym:
early (of an early stage in the development of a language or literature)
middle (of a stage in the development of a language or literature between earlier and later stages)
Derivation:
lateness (quality of coming late or later in time)
Sense 6
Meaning:
At or toward an end or late period or stage of development
Synonyms:
late; later
Context example:
later medical science could have saved the child
Similar:
advanced (comparatively late in a course of development)
tardive (late-occurring (especially with reference to symptoms of a disease))
Antonym:
early (being or occurring at an early stage of development)
Derivation:
lateness (quality of coming late or later in time)
Sense 7
Meaning:
(used especially of persons) of the immediate past
Synonyms:
Context example:
the previous occupant of the White House
Similar:
past (earlier than the present time; no longer current)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Later than usual or than expected
Synonyms:
Context example:
I belatedly wished her a happy birthday
Antonym:
early (before the usual time or the time expected)
Sense 2
Meaning:
To an advanced time
Synonyms:
deep; late
Context example:
talked late into the evening
Sense 3
Meaning:
At an advanced age or stage
Context example:
undertook the project late in her career
Sense 4
Meaning:
In the recent past
Synonyms:
late; lately; latterly; of late; recently
Context example:
the spelling was first affected, but latterly the meaning also
Context examples
A year later they were in Colorado, where Hans Nelson saw his first mining and caught the mining- fever himself.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
Black duplicated the performance a moment later with the other foot.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
“Holmes,” I cried, “you are too late.”
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I got back here in time for a late dinner; went my rounds—all well; and set this down whilst waiting for sleep. It is coming.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
The light in our window above showed that this late visit was indeed intended for us.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
He never was late, and he was usually at the office a few minutes before his regular time.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
In your picturesque account of the matter, which I read with great interest some months later, you assert that the wall was sheer.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
A moment later he was straying away again from his mother.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
She was in a sad state when she got home, and when the older girls arrived, some time later, an indignation meeting was held at once.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Alas, his warning was too late!
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"A coward dies a thousand times before his death. The valiant never taste of death but once." (William Shakespeare)
"The dogs may bark but the caravan moves on." (Arabic proverb)
"A good start is half the job done." (Dutch proverb)