late

Etymology

From Middle English late, lat, from Old English læt (“slow; slack, lax, negligent; late”), from Proto-West Germanic *lat, from Proto-Germanic *lataz (“slow, lazy”).

adj

1. Near the end of a period of time.
   The seedlings appeared to be coming along nicely until a late frost killed them.
2. Specifically, near the end of the day.
   It was getting late and I was tired.
3. (usually not comparable) Associated with the end of a period.
   Late Latin is less fully inflected than classical Latin.
4. Not arriving or occurring until after an expected time.
   The flowers were late in blooming because of the prolonged cold weather.
   Panos was so late that he arrived at the meeting after Antonio, who had the excuse of being in hospital for most of the night.
5. Levied as a surcharge on a payment which has not arrived by a specified deadline.
   The power company suspended late fees during the pandemic.
6. Not having had an expected menstrual period.
   I'm late, honey. Could you buy a test?
   I am very worried. I am never late. February 5, 1992, Larry Charles, Elaine Pope, “The Fix-Up”, in Seinfeld, spoken by Cynthia (Maggie Wheeler)
7. (not comparable, euphemistic) Deceased, dead: used particularly when speaking of the dead person's actions while alive. (Generally must be preceded by a possessive or an article, commonly "the"; see usage notes. Can itself only precede the person's name, never follow it.)
   Her late husband had left her well provided for.
   The piece was composed by the late Igor Stravinsky.
   This parrot is no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet its maker! This is a late parrot! It's a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed it to the perch it would be pushing up the daisies! 1969-12-07, Monty Python, “Full Frontal Nudity, Dead Parrot sketch”, in Monty Python's Flying Circus, spoken by Mr Praline (John Cleese)
   The following public assemblies and public processions are excluded from the prohibition in paragraph 2: […] any public assembly or public procession in an open space that is held primarily to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew […] Order 3(ca)(i), Public Order (Prohibited Areas) Order 2009 (G.N. S 490/2009)
   “He is not my ‘late husband’. He is my husband,” she said, before discussing how the couple had managed to retain their independent identities while together. 2022-12-14, Nadia Khomami, quoting Iman, “‘He’s not my “late” husband’: Iman speaks of grief over death of David Bowie”, in The Guardian
8. Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; departed, or gone out of office.
   the late bishop of London
   the late administration
   By Edvvard Reynoldes, late Preacher to the Honorable Society of Lincoln’s Inne: And now Rector of the Church of Braunſton in Northamptonſhire. 1640, Edvvard Reynoldes, A Treatise of the Passions and Facvlties of the Soul of Man. With the severall Dignities and Corruptions thereunto belonging., London: […]R. H. for Robert Bostock,[…]
9. Recent — relative to the noun it modifies.
   Lancaster bore him—such a little town, / Such a great man. It doesn't see him often / Of late years, though he keeps the old homestead / And sends the children down there with their mother[…] 1914, Robert Frost, “A Hundred Collars”, in North of Boston
10. (astronomy) Of a star or class of stars, cooler than the sun.

noun

1. (informal) A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place late in the day or at night.
   At about 11 pm one night in Corporation Street my watch were on van patrol and Yellow Watch were on late as usual. 2007, Paul W Browning, The Good Guys Wear Blue

adv

1. After a deadline has passed, past a designated time.
   We drove as fast as we could, but we still arrived late.
2. Formerly, especially in the context of service in a military unit.
   Colonel Easterwood, late of the 34th Carbines, was a guest at the dinner party.
   The Hendersons will all be there / Late of Pablo Fanque's Fair / What a scene!
3. Not long ago; just now.