LATER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does later mean? 

• LATER (adjective)
  The adjective LATER has 2 senses:

1. coming at a subsequent time or stage

2. at or toward an end or late period or stage of development

  Familiarity information: LATER used as an adjective is rare.

• LATER (adverb)
  The adverb LATER has 3 senses:

1. happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

2. at some eventual time in the future

3. comparative of the adverb 'late'

  Familiarity information: LATER used as an adverb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LATER (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Coming at a subsequent time or stage

Synonyms:

later; posterior; ulterior

Context example:

the mood posterior to

Similar:

subsequent (following in time or order)

Sense 2

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))

• LATER (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

Synonyms:

after; afterward; afterwards; later; later on; subsequently

Context example:

two hours after that

Pertainym:

later (coming at a subsequent time or stage)

Sense 2

Meaning:

At some eventual time in the future

Synonyms:

by and by; later

Context example:

I'll see you later

Sense 3

Meaning:

Comparative of the adverb 'late'

Context example:

he stayed later than you did

 Context examples 

"What a pretty girl!" Ruth said a moment later.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

It was too late, however, for we were rapidly gathering momentum, and an instant later had shot clear of the station.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

As a note to those readers who are curious: in the US, the eclipse will fall on December 25 and later, on December 26, in countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

I desired that the senate of Rome might appear before me, in one large chamber, and an assembly of somewhat a later age in counterview, in another.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

If you want me for the trial, my address and that of Watson will be somewhere in Norway—I’ll send particulars later.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A little later I heard the stroke of oars, growing nearer and nearer, and the calls of a man.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

A few minutes later I saw Morris step suddenly back from a corner, which he was examining.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

The trap drove on, and a few minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Yes, here we are—three days later. ‘Am making successful arrangements.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

An instant later we had reached the same spot, and there was the road beneath us, steep and narrow, winding in long curves into the valley.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)