What does “late” mean?
- 1
adjectivearriving or happening after the expected time
Sorry I’m late; the bus was slow.
- 2
adjectivenear the end of a period of time
The house was built in the late 1800s.
- 3
adverbafter the usual or expected time
She worked late every night this week.
Late at a glance
- Part of speech
- adjective & adverb
- CEFR level
- A1 (beginner)
- Pronunciation
- /leɪt/ · LAYT
- Forms
- later, latest
How to use “late” correctly
“Lately” means “recently”, not “late”: “I’ve been busy lately.” Say “late for” an event: “late for class”.
Common phrases with “late”
- be late for sth
- late at night
- too late
- stay up late
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Antonyms (opposite meaning)
Word family
- lately
- lateness
Idioms with “late”
- Better late than never: It is better to do something late than not to do it at all.
“late” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
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- last adjectiveA1coming after all others
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- new adjectiveA1recently made, bought or started
- next adjectiveA1coming straight after this one in time or order
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