Word
later
Phoneticslat·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫeɪtɝ/
UK/lˈeɪtɐ/
Definitions
01afterward
A2 · Elementary
adv. at a time after now or after the time you are talking about.
adv. at a subsequent time or at a period following the present or a specified point.
日本語:後で※
“I am busy right now, but I can call you back later this afternoon.”
“The CEO initially declined to comment on the merger but later issued a formal statement to the press.”
Usage
Often used with 'than' to compare two specific times.
Synonyms
02in the future
A2 · Elementary
adv. at some unknown or unstated time in the future.
adv. at an unspecified future time.
“We should definitely go to that new Italian restaurant later this year.”
“The researchers hope to apply these preliminary findings to a much larger study later in the decade.”
Usage
Frequently appears in the phrase 'sooner or later'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03more late
A2 · Elementary
adj. happening or coming after the expected time, or near the end of a period.
adj. the comparative form of 'late', referring to a point further toward the end of a period or after a deadline.
“The later train is usually much less crowded than the one at eight o'clock.”
“The later editions of the textbook include updated chapters on digital ethics and global surveillance.”
Usage
As an adjective, it usually precedes the noun it modifies.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “later” in context.
Etymology
* Adverb: From Middle English later, latere, from Old English lator, equivalent to late + -er. * Adjective: From Middle English later, latere, from Old English lætra, equivalent to late + -er. Cognate with Saterland Frisian leeter (“later”), West Frisian letter (“later”), Dutch later (“later”), German Low German later (“later”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/later
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0