late Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective 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
  2. adjective satellite after the expected or usual time; delayed
    tardy; belated.
    • 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
  3. adjective satellite of the immediate past or just previous to the present time
    recent.
    • a late development
    • their late quarrel
    • his recent trip to Africa
    • in recent months
    • a recent issue of the journal
  4. adjective satellite having died recently
    • her late husband
  5. adjective of a later stage in the development of a language or literature; used especially of dead languages
    • Late Greek
  6. adjective at or toward an end or late period or stage of development
    later.
    • the late phase of feudalism
    • a later symptom of the disease
    • later medical science could have saved the child
  7. adjective satellite (used especially of persons) of the immediate past
    former; previous.
    • the former president
    • our late President is still very active
    • the previous occupant of the White House
  8. adverb later than usual or than expected
    tardily; belatedly.
    • 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
  9. adverb to an advanced time
    deep.
    • deep into the night
    • talked late into the evening
  10. adverb at an advanced age or stage
    • she married late
    • undertook the project late in her career
  11. adverb in the recent past
    latterly; recently; of late; lately.
    • 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

WordNet

Late adjective
Etymology
OE. lat slow, slack, As.læt; akin to Os. lat, D. laat late, G. lass weary, lazy, slack, Icel. latr, Sw. lat, Dan. lad, Goth. lats, and to E. let, v. See Let to permit, and cf. Alas, Lassitude.
Wordforms
comparative Later or latter ; superlative Latest
Definitions
  1. Coming after the time when due, or after the usual or proper time; not early; slow; tardy; long delayed; as, a late spring.
  2. Far advanced toward the end or close; as, a late hour of the day; a late period of life.
  3. Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; lately deceased, departed, or gone out of office; as, the late bishop of London; the late administration.
  4. Not long past; happening not long ago; recent; as, the late rains; we have received late intelligence.
  5. Continuing or doing until an advanced hour of the night; as, late revels; a late watcher.
Late adverb
Etymology
AS. late. See Late, a.
Definitions
  1. After the usual or proper time, or the time appointed; after delay; as, he arrived late; -- opposed to early.
  2. Not long ago; lately.
  3. Far in the night, day, week, or other particular period; as, to lie abed late; to sit up late at night.

Webster 1913