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Added 8 October 2026

later

/ˈleɪ.tə/ adjective

In Latin: sētius Wiktionary

adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about later at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Coming at a subsequent time or stage.
without ulterior argument
At or toward an end or late period or stage of development.
the late phase of feudalism

adverb

Happening at a time subsequent to a reference time.
he apologized subsequently
At some eventual time in the future.
By and by he'll understand
Comparative of the adverb `late'.
he stayed later than you did

Origin

* 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”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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