What does late mean?
Late is a versatile word describing something that happens after the expected time, occurs near the end of a period, or belongs to a later stage. In its most frequent sense, it describes a person or thing that is delayed: a late train, a late arrival, or an apology for being late. The adjective can also indicate an advanced time of day or a later stage in a life or historical period. With “the,” it refers to someone who has died and provides a customary respectful mention, as in “the late Professor Jones.” As an adverb, late commonly answers the question “when?” and can mean both after the expected time and near the end of the day. Its usefulness lies in expressing not merely delay but temporal position, from the final hours of an evening to the later stages of a life or career.
After the expected or usual time, or occurring near the end of a period.
"We had a late lunch before the flight."
“Late” can describe a delayed event or a period close to its end. In “the late,” it means deceased and is generally respectful.
After the expected time or at a later hour than usual.
"They arrived late and found the meeting already underway."
The adverb is commonly used with times of day and expressions such as “too late” and “later than expected.”
A deceased person, especially in the expression “the late” followed by a name or title.
"The late musician was known for her generous performances."
This noun use is chiefly formal and usually takes the definite article.
Plural “lates” is rare and is not commonly used in modern English; the noun is normally encountered in the singular expression “the late.”
"The memorial honored two prominent lates of the movement."
From the Old English word for a person who had died, “the late” became one of the most enduring ways to refer respectfully to someone no longer living.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of late
The word descends from Old English læt, meaning “late” or “delayed.” Its development was influenced by the Germanic languages, where related forms distinguish the adjective and adverb uses. The modern expression “the late,” referring to a deceased person, became established through respectful references to people who had died. Later formations such as “lately” and “lateness” developed from the older adjective and adverb.
Related word forms
How late is actually used
In everyday use, “late” commonly means delayed or arriving after an expected time. “The late” is a respectful, often formal way to refer to a deceased person. “Late” can also describe the advanced stage of a life or a period, as in “in the late afternoon.”
Easily confused with late
Late describes something that happens after an expected time, whereas lately refers to a recent period.
Late can refer to something occurring near the end of a period, while recent describes something happening in the near past.