late
Adjective
UK/leɪt/US/leɪt/
No longer alive; recently or formerly deceased.
Example Sentences
They honored the late musician by playing his most iconic songs during the tribute concert.
Her late grandmother taught her valuable lessons that she still cherishes today.
The sculpture was donated by the estate of the late philanthropist who devoted his life to supporting the arts.
In the biography, the author explores the late actor’s legendary career, from his earliest roles to his final appearances.
Many attendees paid respects to the late professor, whose groundbreaking research transformed the field of genetics.
The family created a scholarship fund in memory of their late uncle, ensuring his passion for education would continue to help others.
During the ceremony, they displayed photographs of the late poet at every stage of her life, illustrating the depth of her artistry and imagination over the decades.
People often express admiration for the late author’s timeless storytelling, even years after her passing.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adverb
UK/leɪt/US/leɪt/
After the usual or expected time; tardily.
Example Sentences
He arrived late at the station, missing the train by mere seconds.
They discovered late in the process that they had overlooked a crucial detail.
She apologized for sending the invitation late because she was preoccupied with work.
The bus often runs late on snowy mornings due to hazardous road conditions.
We finished dinner so late that every grocery store was closed by the time we left.
He came home late each night after working overtime to meet strict deadlines.
Unfortunately, the revisions were proposed late in the development phase, leading to unexpected complications that took extra effort to resolve.
Realizing they might go to bed late, they set multiple alarms to ensure they wouldn’t oversleep their morning obligations.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Describes something happening or done after the expected time.Used predominantly as an adjective or adverb, “late” indicates an action or event happening beyond the normal or desired time frame. You might say, “I was late for the meeting,” which points to your arrival after the agreed start. Alternatively, as an adverb, “They arrived late,” conveys timing rather than describing a person or object. In scheduling, saying “The show starts late” notifies others about a delayed or postponed start. Context is key: “late” might be mild in casual conversation, like “I’m running a few minutes late,” or more significant in formal or business settings, such as missing an important deadline (“The report was submitted late, causing complications”). For people, describing someone as “always late” can convey a habitual tendency. In writing, “late” can depict either timing (e.g., “He arrived late to dinner”) or denote someone recently deceased (“the late Dr. Smith,” meaning Dr. Smith has passed away). This second, formal usage is common in news or historical references, highlighting that the person is no longer alive. Combining “late” with prepositions or adverbs offers nuance. For instance, “late into the evening” underscores an ongoing action pushing past typical hours. In daily life, if you’re advising someone or planning, you might say, “Let’s not stay up too late,” or “I can’t start this project too late in the day.” Whether describing scheduling, personal habits, or historical references, “late” consistently signals a deviation from an established or expected timeline. Used thoughtfully, “late” informs people about delays, sets realistic expectations, and can even convey respect for the dead. Through intonation and context, you can soften or emphasize the seriousness of lateness. Above all, clarity is crucial—communicating exactly how late something is ensures others know whether it’s a minor inconvenience or a major disruptor.
Alternatives
Several synonyms and related expressions capture the essence of “late.” If you need to stress a minor delay, words like “tardy,” “behind schedule,” or “running behind” often fit. “Overdue” is reserved for items or tasks that should have been completed by a certain deadline, highlighting a stronger implication of consequence—like in a library book “long overdue.” For a formal tone, “belated” may be used, often in messages like “belated birthday wishes,” implying well wishes sent after the appropriate date. In scheduling contexts, “postponed” can stand in when an event has been rearranged to a later time. In personal habits or repeated lateness, “habitually tardy,” “chronically late,” or “always behind” might convey frustration or exasperation. If you want to suggest a slight shift rather than an outright tardiness, you can opt for phrasing like “a bit delayed.” For near misses, the phrase “cutting it close” or “almost missed” underscores how narrowly one avoided being late. Meanwhile, for something that stretches past normal bounds of day or night, “extended,” “prolonged,” or “gone long” can help describe an event continuing beyond standard hours, as in “Our meeting went long into the night.” Ultimately, your synonym choice depends on the severity, frequency, and context of lateness. Whether a mild delay, a chronic habit, or a one-time unfortunate schedule slip, these variations in vocabulary clarify the stakes, tone, and potential repercussions. By choosing words that match your setting—casual conversations, formal announcements, or personal reflections—you can pinpoint the exact nature of being “late.”
Writing
When writing about something being “late,” clarity and context will shape the reader’s perception of how serious the delay is. In more formal or academic work, you might detail why or how a deadline was missed—for instance, “The results were submitted late, affecting the overall analysis timeline.” This approach clarifies both the nature of the lateness and its repercussions, such as scheduling issues or lost opportunities. In narrative writing, describing someone as “late” can serve multiple functions. You may show tension by having a character rush to a meeting, underscoring anxiety or the stakes of potential failure: “She realized she was late yet again, sweat beading on her forehead as she raced toward the conference room.” This pulls the reader into the emotional stress of the moment. Conversely, in a historical context, using “the late Dr. Johnson” signals respect or establishes that a figure has passed away. Choose this usage judiciously if it’s crucial for your story that the reader understand a character’s death. Blending direct statements with descriptive detail adds depth and realism. Compare “He was late” to “He stumbled in fifteen minutes after everyone else, quickly apologizing while fumbling with his coat.” This second approach offers more than just a time note; it illustrates both the manner of arrival and the character’s emotional state. Varying how you describe tardiness—whether you say “behind schedule,” “delayed,” or “late to arrive”—also enriches your text and prevents repetition. If your writing includes instructions or best practices—say, a business plan or workplace policy—specify the protocols for lateness. For instance, “Employees are considered late if they clock in more than five minutes past their scheduled start.” Such precision removes ambiguity and sets clear expectations. Combining “late” with precise time frames, reasons, or outcomes ensures readers grasp the exact nature of the delay. By tailoring these nuances, your written piece can highlight whether lateness is a trivial slip, a recurring problem, or a sign of deeper narrative tension.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “late” covers a range of mildly inconvenient to rather problematic scenarios. You might say, “I’m running a bit late—save me a seat,” or “I stayed up late watching movies.” In these contexts, “late” usually suggests only a small departure from the norm, whether that’s arriving after an agreed time or staying awake beyond typical bedtime. Friends and family often toss around the term in a relaxed tone: “Don’t be late for dinner,” is less a stern command and more a friendly reminder. If you’re planning an event, you might assure someone, “It’s okay if you get here a little late—just let me know,” to ease their worries if they suspect a slight delay. In texting or online chats, “late” might appear in brief apologetic notes, such as “Sorry for the late reply,” acknowledging a lag in response. It’s common to conflate “late” with “delayed,” especially in casual talk about public transport or weather-induced hold-ups: “The train is running late because of rain.” This directness—no complicated synonyms needed—lets people quickly grasp there’s a holdup. Similarly, “late” can reference tardiness in performing tasks or returning calls, but without heavy judgment—something like “Better late than never!” is a playful phrase meaning that even if someone missed the usual timeframe, their effort or arrival is still appreciated.Some everyday uses extend beyond mere timing. For instance, referencing “the late John Smith” in casual conversation signals respectfully that this person has passed away, though such usage is more common in semi-formal or respectful scenarios (memorial services, obituaries, family gatherings). Overall, “late” is a staple in daily chatter when discussing typical time constraints, night schedules, or small social obligations, offering an easy way to stay on track and update others if there’s any slip in timing.
Etymology
The English term “late” has roots in Old English “lǣt,” which carried connotations of slow or sluggish, eventually morphing into the modern sense of being behind time. As Old English transitioned into Middle English, “late” solidified its meaning around the idea of “coming after the usual or expected hour.” This concept of tardiness suited an era in which scheduling and punctuality began to grow in importance with the rise of trade, commerce, and social conventions. During the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, daily life became increasingly tied to clock time and regulated routines, especially in urban centers and courtly environments. Arrivals or actions that did not align with established schedules were deemed “late,” a term that captured a slight lateness (e.g., a few minutes) or a significant delay. Meanwhile, a related meaning—referring to someone deceased—appeared in the late medieval period, likely as a polite or formal way to acknowledge a person’s passing, still used today in expressions like “the late so-and-so.” Later centuries only widened “late” usage with industrialization, tighter timetables, and official schedules for trains and work shifts. By then, “late” had become a go-to term for tardiness across professional, social, and personal contexts. This consistent utility in day-to-day communication helped “late” endure through linguistic evolutions, emerging as a staple adjective and adverb in Modern English. Whether we’re talking about missed deadlines, scheduling misalignments, or acknowledging someone who’s passed on, “late” has proven integral to describing the alignment—or misalignment—between our expectations and reality.
