late

late is part of the Basic English 850.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /leɪt/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
•  Audio (UK)^{help, file}

Adjective

Positive late

Comparative later

Superlative latest

1. An event is late if it happens after a specified time.
   • Synonyms: not on time, behind, behind schedule, belated, delayed, tardy, overdue, past due
   • Antonyms: on time, early, ahead, ahead of schedule

   He was late to his appointment.

2. Late at night.
   • Synonyms: late at night, late-night
   • Antonym: early

   It was a late meeting.

3. Towards the end of.
   • Antonym: early

   You come in the late afternoon.

4. Someone who is dead.
   • Synonyms: dead, deceased
   • Antonyms: living, alive, alive and well

   I loved my late husband.

Related words

• belated
• better late than never
• latecomer
• lately
• lateness
• later
• late-night
• late at night
• late in the game
• make late

Adverb

Positive late

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. Not on time.
   • Synonyms: not on time, behind schedule, behind, belatedly, tardily
   • Antonyms: on time, early, ahead, ahead of schedule

   He came five minutes late.

2. Late at night.
   • Synonyms: late at night, in the wee small hours, in the dead of night
   • Antonym: early

   We stayed late and went home in the dark.