late

adjective

UK /leɪt/

Word Forms

adjective	late
comparative	later
superlative	latest

1
not usually before nounif you are late, you arrive somewhere after the correct or usual time
She phoned 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.
Synonyms and related words
Late or too late
late
belatedly
overdue
1. 1a
  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.
  Synonyms and related words
  Late or too late
  late
  belatedly
  overdue
2. 1b
  used about something that continues after the time that it usually ends
  We got caught in a late meeting and almost missed the start of the film.
  Synonyms and related words
  Late or too late
  late
  belatedly
  overdue
2
only before nounnear 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
Synonyms and related words
Late or too late
late
belatedly
overdue
1. 2a
  near the end of an evening or night
  If it weren’t so late I would give Donna a call.
  Synonyms and related words
  Happening at night and related to night
  last thing (at night)
  by night/day
  nocturnal
2. 2b
  done near the end of someone’s life or career
  The symphony is a late work.
  a late Picasso
  Synonyms and related words
  Final and at the end
  final
  ultimate
  eventual
3
only before nounhappening at a time just before the present
a late news development
Synonyms and related words
A short time ago
recent
just
newly
4
only before nounused for talking about someone who has died, especially recently
my late aunt
Synonyms and related words
Dead
dead
deceased
inanimate

phrases

late in the day

late of

late

adjective

US /leɪt/

Word Forms

adjective	late
comparative	later
superlative	latest

1
not usually before nounif 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.
Synonyms and related words
Late or too late
late
belatedly
overdue
1. 1a
  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.
  Synonyms and related words
  Late or too late
  late
  belatedly
  overdue
2. 1b
  used about something that continues after the time that it usually ends
  We got caught in a late meeting.
  Synonyms and related words
  Late or too late
  late
  belatedly
  overdue
2
only before nounnear 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
Synonyms and related words
Late or too late
late
belatedly
overdue
1. 2a
  near the end of an evening or night
  If it weren’t so late I would give Donna a call.
  Synonyms and related words
  Happening at night and related to night
  last thing (at night)
  by night/day
  nocturnal
2. 2b
  done near the end of someone’s life or career
  The symphony is a late work.
  a late Picasso
  Synonyms and related words
  Final and at the end
  final
  ultimate
  eventual
3
only before nounhappening at a time just before the present
a late news development
Synonyms and related words
A short time ago
recent
just
newly
4
only before nounused for talking about someone who has died, especially recently
my late aunt
Synonyms and related words
Dead
dead
deceased
inanimate

phrases

late in the day

late of

late

adverb

UK /leɪt/

Word Forms

comparative	later
superlative	latest

1
after the correct or usual time
The trains are running 15 minutes late.
The trees are flowering late this year.
Synonyms and related words
After another event or time
after
following
since
2
near the end of a period of time such as a day, month, season, or someone’s life or career
Stop by late this afternoon.
late in:
We plan to visit late in July.
late in life:
He didn’t receive the recognition he deserved until late in life.
Synonyms and related words
Late or too late
late
belatedly
overdue
1. 2a
  near the end of an evening or night
  We won’t arrive home until late, so don’t wait up for us.
  Synonyms and related words
  Happening at night and related to night
  last thing (at night)
  by night/day
  nocturnal

phrases

as late as

better late than never

of late

late

adverb

US /leɪt/

Word Forms

comparative	later
superlative	latest

1
after the correct or usual time
The trains are running 15 minutes late.
The trees are flowering late this year.
Synonyms and related words
After another event or time
after
following
since
2
near the end of a period of time such as a day, month, season, or someone’s life or career
Stop by late this afternoon.
late in:
We plan to visit late in July.
late in life:
He didn’t receive the recognition he deserved until late in life.
Synonyms and related words
Late or too late
late
belatedly
overdue
1. 2a
  near the end of an evening or night
  We won’t arrive home until late, so don’t wait up for us.
  Synonyms and related words
  Happening at night and related to night
  last thing (at night)
  by night/day
  nocturnal

phrases

as late as

better late than never

of late

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