Late
/leɪt/
Definitions
3 meaningsOccurring or done near the end of a period; delayed.
/leɪt/
Happening or appearing after the expected or usual time.
I am late for the appointment.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're supposed to meet a friend at 2 PM, but you show up at 2:30 PM. You're late! It means you're not on time or after when something usually happens.
👶 For kids: Happening after the time it's supposed to.
More Examples
The package arrived late.
She was late to school this morning.
How It's Used
"The train was late."
"He arrived late for the meeting."
Having died recently; of a period that is not long past.
/leɪt/
Being in a recent time period or not long past.
The late summer is a beautiful time of year.
💡 Simply: When you talk about someone who has died, you might say they were the 'late' [person's name]. It means they are no longer alive.
👶 For kids: When someone has died, we say they are 'late'.
More Examples
My late grandmother was an amazing cook.
The late show starts at 11:30 PM.
How It's Used
"The late 19th century was a period of great change."
"The late Mr. Smith was a generous man."
After the expected or usual time.
/leɪt/
I stayed up late last night.
💡 Simply: If you say you'll be late, it means you're going to arrive sometime after when you're supposed to. Like when you tell your parents you'll be home at 9 PM, but you show up at 9:30 PM - you are late.
👶 For kids: Happening after when it was supposed to.
More Examples
She came to school late.
The bus was running late today.
How It's Used
"He arrived late."
"She works late every Friday."
Idioms & expressions
Better late than never.
It is better to do something late than not to do it at all.
"I finally finished the project, better late than never."
Late in the day
At a later time than expected, or toward the end of something.
"Trying to change the rules late in the day won't work."
From Middle English *lat*, from Old English *læt* ('slow, sluggish, late'), from Proto-Germanic *latiz* ('slow, lazy'). Cognate with German *spät* ('late').
The word 'late' has been used since Old English, initially with the meaning of slow or delayed, and evolved to also describe a point in time that is nearing its end or something that has recently occurred in the past.
Memory tip
Think of being late for a party - you're arriving near the end!