late

late is on the Basic English 850 List.

last - late - laugh

late is one of the 1000 most common headwords.

last - late - laugh

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /leɪt/

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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 and past due
   • Antonyms: on time, early, ahead and ahead of schedule

   He was late to his appointment.

2. If something is late in a period of time, it is towards the end of that time.
   • Antonym: early

   You come in the late afternoon.

   It was a late meeting.

3. (usually before a noun) A late relative, president, colleague, etc is dead.
   • Synonyms: dead and deceased
   • Antonyms: living, alive and 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
• late to the party
• make late

Adverb

Positive late

Comparative none

Superlative none

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

   He came five minutes late.

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

   We stayed late and went home in the dark.