late

late · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

1.
Arriving, occurring, or done after the expected or usual time.
2.
Far on in the day or night.
3.
Belonging to or occurring near the end of a period.
4.
**(the late)** No longer alive; deceased (used before a name).
5.
After the expected, proper, or usual time.
6.
Far on in time; toward the end of a period.

Phrases & expressions

•
better late than never — It's preferable to do something late than not at all.
•
late in the day — At an advanced stage; too late.
•
of late — Recently.
•
late bloomer — Someone who develops or succeeds later than others.
•
running late — Behind schedule.
•
too little, too late — Insufficient and delayed response.

Related words

Antonyms: early, prompt, punctual

See also: delay, early, later, latest, tardy

Synonyms: deceased, delayed, overdue, tardy

Etymology

From Old English læt ("slow, sluggish, late"), from Proto-Germanic lataz. Related to German lass ("weary") and Old Norse latr ("lazy"). The sense shifted from "slow" to "coming after the expected time."