Latter
'lætər
Definitions
2 meaningsBeing the second of two things or people just mentioned.
'lætər
Referring to the second of two things or people mentioned.
She preferred tea to coffee; the latter woke her up better.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're talking about two kinds of pizza. You liked the pepperoni but the MARGHERITA - the *latter* - was even better!
👶 For kids: When you talk about two things, the 'latter' is the second one.
More Examples
John and Mary both applied for the job, but the latter had more experience.
The first option was too expensive; we went with the latter.
How It's Used
"He chose the former, but the latter proved to be a better decision."
"Of the two proposals, the latter is more fiscally responsible."
Occurring near the end of a process or period.
'lætər
Near the end of a period of time; recent.
He spent his latter years in retirement.
💡 Simply: Think of the *latter* part of a movie, like the end when everything gets intense.
👶 For kids: The 'latter' means closer to the end of something.
More Examples
The latter stages of the disease are difficult to treat.
The latter half of the concert was his best performance.
How It's Used
"In the latter years of the Roman Empire..."
"In his latter life, he became a philanthropist."
From Old English *lætra*, comparative of *læt* 'late'. Originally meant 'later' in time but evolved to refer to the second of two things mentioned.
Commonly used in historical and literary texts to distinguish between two things previously mentioned.
Memory tip
Think of a list of two things. The latter is the LAST one.
Word Origin
"late"