late

Phonetics

/leɪt/

noun

adjective

Near the end of a period of time.
Example: It was late in the evening when we finally arrived.
Specifically, near the end of the day.
Example: It was getting late and I was tired.
(usually not comparable) Associated with the end of a period.
Example: Late Latin is less fully inflected than classical Latin.
Not arriving until after an expected time.
Example: Even though we drove as fast as we could, we were still late.
Not having had an expected menstrual period.
Example: I'm late, honey. Could you buy a test?
Deceased, dead: used particularly when speaking of the dead person's actions while alive. (Often used with "the"; see usage notes.)
Example: Her late husband had left her well provided for.
Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; departed, or gone out of office.
Example: the late administration
Recent — relative to the noun it modifies.
Of a star or class of stars, cooler than the sun.

adverb

After a deadline has passed, past a designated time.
Example: We drove as fast as we could, but we still arrived late.
Formerly, especially in the context of service in a military unit.
Example: Colonel Easterwood, late of the 34th Carbines, was a guest at the dinner party.
Not long ago; just now.

Meaning of late in English | Powered by Free Dictionary API