late
late
Pronunciation
Late
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /leɪt/
Syllable 1: /leɪt/
/l/ as in "light" (voiced alveolar lateral approximant)
/eɪ/ as in "day" (diphthong)
/t/ as in "top" (voiceless alveolar stop)
Word Form Variations
Adjective:
Base form: late
Comparative: later
Superlative: latest
Adverb:
Base form: late
Comparative: later
Superlative: latest
Noun:
Singular: late (very rare, usually in specific contexts like "the late of the night")
Plural: (not typically used as a plural noun)
Verb: (Only in derived forms like "lateen" or in phrasal verbs, not directly from "late")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Happening or arriving after the usual, expected, or appointed time.
Synonyms: tardy, delayed, unpunctual, behind schedule
Antonyms: early, punctual, on time, ahead of schedule
Occurring or existing far on in a period of time or course of development.
Synonyms: advanced, mature, developed, latter, evening (as in "late evening")
Antonyms: early, initial, nascent, nascent, formative
Recently deceased. Used formally to refer to someone who has died, especially if they were well-known.
Synonyms: deceased, departed, defunct, former (if referring to a position)
Antonyms: living, alive, existing
No longer current or fashionable; old-fashioned.
Synonyms: dated, outdated, passé, archaic, obsolete
Antonyms: current, fashionable, modern, trendy, contemporary
Adverb
After the usual, expected, or appointed time.
Synonyms: tardily, belatedly, behind schedule, past due
Antonyms: early, punctually, on time, ahead of schedule
Far on in a period of time or course of development.
Synonyms: deeply (as in "stay up late"), advanced (as in "late in the game")
Antonyms: early, initially, prematurely
Near the end of a period.
Synonyms: towards the end, nearing completion
Antonyms: at the beginning, initially
Examples of Use
Books:
"The train was running a half-hour late, a familiar inconvenience on that route." (From a fictional novel, generic example, referring to tardiness)
"In his late years, the artist turned to abstract forms, exploring new dimensions of color and light." (From a biography or art history book, generic example, referring to a later period in life)
"The detective found a message from the late Mr. Abernathy, providing a crucial clue." (From a mystery novel, generic example, referring to someone deceased)
Newspapers:
"The emergency meeting ran late into the night as negotiators struggled to reach a consensus." (From a news report, generic example, referring to a time duration)
"The late Senator John McCain was remembered today for his unwavering commitment to public service." (From an obituary or tribute, generic example, referring to someone deceased)
"A late surge in consumer spending boosted retail figures for the final quarter." (From a business section, generic example, referring to an occurrence near the end of a period)
Online Publications:
"Tips for managing stress when you're running late for an important appointment." (From a self-help or productivity blog, e.g., Lifehack.org)
"The latest trends in sustainable fashion for the upcoming season." (From a fashion or lifestyle website, e.g., Vogue.com, referring to newest)
"Archaeologists discovered late Bronze Age artifacts at the ancient excavation site." (From a historical or scientific news site, e.g., Archaeology.org, referring to a period in time)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I'm late, I'm late! For a very important date!" (From Alice in Wonderland)
Television Series: "She arrived late to the party, missing all the excitement." (Scene description in a sitcom or drama, generic example)
Music (Song Lyrics): "It's never too late to mend." (From "It's Never Too Late to Mend" by the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, or common proverb)
Video Games: "You're late, Commander! The enemy has already breached our defenses!" (In-game dialogue from an NPC, generic example)
Podcasts: "Our guest discusses the challenges faced by musicians who rise to fame late in their careers." (From an entertainment or career-focused podcast, generic example)
General Public Discourse:
"Sorry I'm late!" (Common apology for tardiness)
"It's getting late; I should head home." (Common observation about time)
"My grandmother, the late Mrs. Smith, was a wonderful woman." (Common respectful reference to a deceased person)
"I stayed up late last night finishing that book." (Common personal statement)
"It's never too late to learn something new." (Common motivational saying)
10 Famous Quotes Using Late
Better three hours too soon than a minute too late." — William Shakespeare
"It's never too late to be what you might have been." — George Eliot
"It is never too late to give up your prejudices." — Henry David Thoreau
"No matter how far you have gone on the wrong road, turn back. It’s never too late." — Turkish Proverb
"The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it when you're early, but everyone notices when you're late." — Franklin P. Jones
"Better late than never, but never late is better." — Drake, from the song “Fancy”
"Sometimes it's too late to make things right, but it's never too late to apologize." — Unknown
"Don’t wait. The time will never be just right. It is never too late to start." — Napoleon Hill
"A late start is not a lost cause." — Erin Hanson (often cited in motivational writing)
"No one is ever too old or too late to dream a new dream." — C.S. Lewis (paraphrased from broader writings)
Etymology
The word "late" has a history that goes way back, tracing its roots to ancient Germanic and even older Indo-European words, originally meaning "slow" or "slack."
It comes from the Proto-Germanic word *lataz (a reconstructed word), which meant "slow," "sluggish," or "weary." This root is also linked to the idea of "letting go" or "slackening."
This Proto-Germanic word then evolved into the Old English word "læt."
So, the first known use and meaning of "late" in English (from its Old English form), dating back to before 900 AD, was as an adjective meaning "slow," "sluggish," or "tardy." It conveyed the sense of arriving after an appointed time, or not being quick.
The adverbial use (as in "stay up late") also existed very early on. The meaning "recently deceased" (as in "the late Mr. Smith") developed much later, in the 14th century, stemming from the idea of "late" in time, referring to someone whose life ended recently.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Late
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "late," supplemented as needed:
Better late than never: It's better to do something even if it's delayed, rather than not doing it at all.
Too little, too late: Something done or given is insufficient and ineffective because it happened or arrived too tardily.
Of late: Recently.
At the latest: Not later than a specified time.
Burn the midnight oil: To work or study late into the night. (Implies staying up late)
Stay up late: To go to bed later than usual.
Run late: To be behind schedule.
The late (person's name): Used to refer to someone who has recently died, or to a deceased person who was previously notable.
Sleep in: To sleep until a later hour than usual. (Implies not getting up early, thus being "late" to the day)
A late bloomer: Someone who achieves success or develops talent later in life than is typical.
Come in belatedly: To arrive after the expected time. (Synonymous with "arrive late")
Behind schedule: Not on time. (Synonymous with "late")
The eleventh hour: At the last possible moment. (Implies very late timing)
At the tail end of: Near the conclusion of a period. (Synonymous with "late in the period")
The twilight years: The final period of a person's life. (Metaphorical for "late" in life)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of late from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
