later
adv. · adj.-
1 afterward (adv.) A2 Elementaryat a time after now or after the time you are talking about.
at a subsequent time or at a period following the present or a specified point.
ExampleI am busy right now, but I can call you back later this afternoon.
ExampleThe CEO initially declined to comment on the merger but later issued a formal statement to the press.
UsageOften used with 'than' to compare two specific times.
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2 in the future (adv.) A2 Elementaryat some unknown or unstated time in the future.
at an unspecified future time.
ExampleWe should definitely go to that new Italian restaurant later this year.
ExampleThe researchers hope to apply these preliminary findings to a much larger study later in the decade.
UsageFrequently appears in the phrase 'sooner or later'.
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3 more late (adj.) A2 Elementaryhappening or coming after the expected time, or near the end of a period.
the comparative form of 'late', referring to a point further toward the end of a period or after a deadline.
ExampleThe later train is usually much less crowded than the one at eight o'clock.
ExampleThe later editions of the textbook include updated chapters on digital ethics and global surveillance.
UsageAs an adjective, it usually precedes the noun it modifies.
- subsequent
- tardier
* 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”).