late

¹late

adj \ˈlāt\

lat·erlat·est

Definition of LATE

1

a (1) : coming or remaining after the due, usual, or proper time <a late spring> (2) : of, relating to, or imposed because of tardiness b : of or relating to an advanced stage in point of time or development <the late Middle Ages>; especially : far advanced toward the close of the day or night <late hours>

2

a : living comparatively recently : now deceased —used of persons <the late John Doe> and often with reference to a specific relationship or status <his late wife> b : being something or holding some position or relationship recently but not now <the late belligerents> c : made, appearing, or happening just previous to the present time especially as the most recent of a succession <our late quarrel>

— late·ness noun

Examples of LATE

1. It happened in late spring.
2. a word first recorded in the late 17th century
3. We had a late spring this year.
4. Hurry up or we'll be late for school.
5. Their warning was too late to help him.
6. I've always been a late riser.
7. He made a donation to the school in memory of his late wife.

Origin of LATE

Middle English, late, slow, from Old English læt; akin to Old High German laz slow, Old English lǣtan to let

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to LATE

Synonyms: behind, behindhand, belated, delinquent, latish, overdue, tardy

Antonyms: early, inopportune, precocious, premature, unseasonable, untimely

Related Words: delayed, detained, postponed; dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, lagging, poky (or pokey), slow, sluggish, unhurried

Near Antonyms: opportune, seasonable, timely; prompt, punctual

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at dead

Rhymes with LATE

ait, bait, bate, blate, cate, crate, date, eight, fate, fete, freight, gait, gate, grate, great, haet, hate, mate, pate, plait, plate, prate, quoit, rate, sate, skate, slate, spate, state, straight, strait, teth, trait, wait, weight