late

1. 1

   Near the end of a period of time.

   • The seedlings appeared to be coming along nicely until a late frost killed them.
   • The meeting is convened for late morning.
2. 2

   Specifically, near the end of the day.

   • It was getting late and I was tired.
3. 3

   Associated with the end of a period.not-comparableusually

   • Late Latin is less fully inflected than Classical Latin.
4. 4

   Not arriving or occurring until after an expected time.

   • The flowers were late in blooming because of the prolonged cold weather.
   • Panos was so late that he arrived at the meeting after Antonio, who had the excuse of being in hospital for most of the night.
5. 5

   Levied as a surcharge on a payment which has not arrived by a specified deadline.

   • The power company suspended late fees during the pandemic.
6. 6

   Not having had an expected menstrual period.

   • I'm late, honey. Could you buy a test?
7. 7

   Recently deceased, dead: used particularly when speaking of the dead person's actions while alive. (Generally must be preceded by a possessive or an article, commonly “the”; see usage notes. Can itself only precede the person's name, never follow it.)euphemisticnot-comparable

   • Her late husband had left her well provided for.
   • Mary was entitled to the crown by her late father’s testament.
8. 8

   Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; departed, or gone out of office.dated

   • the late bishop of London
   • the late administration
9. 9

   Recent — relative to the noun it modifies.

   • the late war
10. 10

    Of a star or class of stars, cooler than the sun.

syn. late

ant. early · mid · middle

1. 1

   A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place late in the day or at night.informal

   • At about 11 pm one night in Corporation Street my watch were on van patrol and Yellow Watch were on late as usual.

ant. early

1. 1

   After a deadline has passed, past a designated time.

   • We drove as fast as we could, but we still arrived late.
2. 2

   Formerly, especially in the context of service in a military unit.

   • Colonel Easterwood, late of the 34th Carbines, was a guest at the dinner party.
   • The Hendersons will all be there / Late of Pablo Fanque's Fair / What a scene!
3. 3

   Not long ago; just now, recently.

   • He ſhall doe this, or elſe I doe recant / The pardon that I late pronounced heere.
   • Tears of the widower, when he sees ⁠A late-lost form that sleep reveals, ⁠And moves his doubtful arms, and feels Her place is empty, fall like these; […]

syn. tardy