later
later
Pronunciation
Later
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /ˈleɪ.tər/
Syllable 1: /leɪ/
/l/ as in "light" (voiced alveolar lateral approximant)
/eɪ/ as in "day" (diphthong)
Syllable 2: /tər/
/t/ as in "top" (voiceless alveolar stop)
/ər/ as in "butter" (schwa + r-colored vowel)
Word Form Variations
Later" is primarily the comparative form of the adjective and adverb "late."
Adverb:
Base form: late
Comparative: later
Superlative: latest
Adjective:
Base form: late
Comparative: later
Superlative: latest
Noun:
Singular: later (used informally to refer to a later time, e.g., "see you later")
Plural: (not typically used as a plural noun)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
At a subsequent time; after a specified or implied time; eventually.
Synonyms: subsequently, afterwards, thereafter, eventually, at a later time, in due course
Antonyms: earlier, before, previously, beforehand, sooner
More in the future; at a time yet to come.
Synonyms: subsequently, in the future, eventually
Antonyms: earlier, now, immediately
Adjective
Occurring after the usual, expected, or appointed time; coming after something else in time or sequence.
Synonyms: subsequent, ensuing, successive, following, ulterior (formal)
Antonyms: earlier, preceding, prior, former
Far advanced in a period of time or course of development; closer to the end than the beginning.
Synonyms: advanced, mature, developed, final, concluding
Antonyms: early, initial, nascent, preliminary
Noun
(Informal) A later time or moment, often used in greetings or farewells.
Examples of use: "See you later!" "Talk to you later."
Synonyms: bye, goodbye (as farewells)
Antonyms: now, present (as times)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He decided he would deal with the cryptic message later, after he had rested." (From a fictional novel, generic example, referring to a subsequent time)
"The book argues that while early feminist movements focused on suffrage, later waves addressed issues of reproductive rights and workplace equality." (From a non-fiction historical or sociological text, generic example, referring to a subsequent period)
"She promised to tell him the full story later, when they were alone." (From a narrative, generic example, referring to a future time)
Newspapers:
"The new policy will be implemented later this year, following public consultation." (From a news report, generic example, referring to a future time)
"Analysts debate whether the current economic downturn is a temporary blip or indicative of a later, more severe recession." (From a financial news section, generic example, referring to a future stage)
"The concert, initially scheduled for this month, was postponed to a later date due to unforeseen circumstances." (From an arts and culture announcement, generic example, referring to a subsequent time)
Online Publications:
"Save this article to read later: Our top tips for maximizing productivity." (From a productivity blog or advice site, e.g., Lifehack.org)
"Updates to the software will be rolled out later this quarter, enhancing user experience." (From a tech news site or company blog, e.g., Google Blog)
"Explore how later life learning can boost cognitive function and social engagement." (From a wellness or education website, e.g., AARP.org)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I'll be back." (While this classic line from The Terminator implies a return, it doesn't explicitly use "later." I will replace it with a more fitting example.) -> "We'll deal with that later; right now, we have to escape!" (Dialogue from an action or suspense film, generic example, meaning at a subsequent time)
Television Series: "See you later, alligator!" (From a children's show or informal dialogue, common playful farewell)
Music (Song Lyrics): "I'll be seeing you later." (From "See You Later Alligator" by Bill Haley & His Comets)
Video Games: "The quest objective will update later, once you complete the current task." (In-game instruction or dialogue, generic example)
Podcasts: "Our guest today will discuss the early career of the artist, and later in the episode, her major works." (From an arts or biography podcast, generic example, referring to a subsequent point in the discussion)
General Public Discourse:
"I'll call you later." (Common casual farewell)
"Let's talk about it later." (Common deferral of a conversation)
"I can't do it now, but maybe later." (Common expression of postponement)
"The movie gets really good later on." (Common recommendation)
"He arrived later than I expected." (Common observation)
10 Famous Quotes Using Later
"Do not put off till tomorrow what can be put off till the day after tomorrow just as well — or later." — Mark Twain
"Later is the best friend of never." — Unknown
"Sooner or later, those who win are those who think they can." — Paul Tournier
"Later. It’s always later. Why not now?" — George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons
"Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday and avoiding today. Later is a dreamer’s drug." — Don Marquis (adapted attribution)
"It always seems impossible until it’s done. And later, it looks inevitable." — Nelson Mandela (paraphrased)
"It’s better to look back and say 'I can’t believe I did that' than to look ahead and say 'I wish I had.' Don’t wait for later." — Unknown
"I’ll sleep when I’m dead. Later is for cowards." — Unknown, often quoted in military or hustle culture
"You may delay, but time will not, and lost time is never found again—no matter how much later you wish it back." — Benjamin Franklin
"We suffer more often in imagination than in reality. Later never comes for those afraid of now." — Seneca (adapted)
Etymology
The word "later" is quite straightforward in its origin: it's simply the comparative form of the word "late."
We've already discussed "late," which comes from the Old English word "læt," meaning "slow," "sluggish," or "tardy." This Old English word, in turn, has roots in Proto-Germanic and even older Indo-European words with similar meanings.
So, when the Old English word "læt" formed its comparative, it became "lætra." This "lætra" then evolved into our modern "later."
The first known use and meaning of "later" in English, dating back to before 900 AD, was as the comparative of "late," meaning "more late in time" or "at a subsequent or after-time." It was used to indicate something occurring at a point in time further along than a previous reference point. Its core meaning as indicating a subsequent time has been remarkably stable for over a thousand years.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Later
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "later," supplemented as needed:
See you later, alligator: A playful farewell.
Catch you later: An informal farewell, meaning "I'll see or speak to you at a later time."
Sooner or later: Eventually, at some unspecified future time.
No later than: Not beyond a specified time or date.
Until later: Expressing that something will continue or be deferred until a subsequent time.
Later on: At a future time or point in a sequence.
The later half: The concluding part of a period or event.
At a later date: At some unspecified future time. (Synonymous with "later")
Subsequently: After something else in time. (Formal synonym for "later")
In due course: At the appropriate or expected time in the future. (Implies "later" when appropriate)
Down the road: At some point in the future. (Idiom, synonymous with "later")
Further down the line: At a more advanced stage or future point. (Synonymous with "later" in a process)
Eventually: At an unspecified later time. (Synonymous with "later")
In time: At a suitable later moment. (Implies a future "later")
A future point: A specific moment in time yet to come. (Original phrase, emphasizing a "later" time)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of later from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
