late

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Thesaurus

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adjective

/leɪt/

adjective	late
comparative	later
superlative	latest

Related dictionary definitions

1
[not usually before noun] if you are late, you arrive somewhere after the correct or usual time
She called to say she’d be late.
late for:
He was ten minutes late for school.
too late:
We climbed the hill to watch the sunset, but we were too late.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of late
1. a.
  used about something that happens after the correct or usual time
  There is a penalty for late registration.
  late with:
  They’re always late with their payments.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of late
2. b.
  used about something that continues after the time that it usually ends
  We got caught in a late meeting.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of late
2
[only before noun] near the end of a period of time such as a day, month, or season
the late 18th century
These bulbs bloom in late spring.
a girl in her late teens
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of late
1. a.
  near the end of an evening or night
  If it weren’t so late I would give Donna a call.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of late
2. b.
  done near the end of someone’s life or career
  The symphony is a late work.
  a late Picasso
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of late
3
[only before noun] happening at a time just before the present
a late news development
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of late
4
[only before noun] used for talking about someone who has died, especially recently
my late aunt
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of late

phrases

late in the day
too late to take action
It’s a little late in the day to complain about it.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of late
late of
formal
if someone is late of a place or organization, they recently lived or worked there but do not live or work there now
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of late

This is the American English definition of late. View British English definition of late.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

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