latter
adj. · n.-
1 the second of two (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediate Formalthe second of two people or things that have just been mentioned.
denoting the second of two items or people previously mentioned; often used with 'the' as a substantive noun.
ExampleThe city has a great park and a famous museum; I visited the latter yesterday.
ExampleThe report discussed both economic growth and environmental protection, though it focused more heavily on the latter.
UsageAlways used with 'the' when referring to the second of two items.
- second
- last mentioned
PitfallOf the two options, I prefer the later.Of the two options, I prefer the latter.Use 'latter' for the second of two things; 'later' refers only to time.
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2 near the end (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatenear the end of a period of time or a process.
belonging to or occurring near the end of a specified period, process, or era.
ExampleThe team played much better in the latter half of the game.
ExampleIn the latter stages of the nineteenth century, industrialisation transformed the rural landscape beyond recognition.
UsageOften used in phrases like 'the latter half' or 'the latter stages'.
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3 the second person or thing (n.) C1 Advanced Formalthe second person or thing of two that you just talked about.
the second of two mentioned things or people, functioning as a pronoun-like noun.
ExampleYou can pay by cash or credit card, but the latter is much easier.
ExampleThe candidate was offered a choice between a higher salary and more vacation days; she chose the latter without hesitation.
UsageFunctions as a noun phrase, almost always preceded by 'the'.
Teacher's tipThis is very common in academic writing to avoid repeating a long noun phrase.
- second one
From Old English lætra, comparative form of læt (“late”). Doublet of later; also, cognate with last, whose doublet is latest.