later

[ lei-ter ]

adjective

1. a comparative of late ( def ):

   Her later years were not happy.

adverb

1. a comparative of late ( def ):

   The meeting ran later than we expected.

2. afterward, subsequently, or at a time in the future (sometimes followed by on ):

   She later said she was sorry. I'll see you later. Let's decide about this later on.

later

/ ˈleɪtə /

adjective

1. the comparative of late

adverb

1. afterwards; subsequently
2. see you later
   an expression of farewell
3. sooner or later
   eventually; inevitably

Word History and Origins

Origin of later¹

First recorded before 900; lat(e) ( def ) + -er ⁴( def ) for the adjective; lat(e) ( def ) + -er ⁵( def ) for the adverb

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with later , also see sooner or later . Also see under late .

Example Sentences

MPs will have their say on the issue later this month – in what is known as a free vote, where they are not instructed how to vote by their parties.

From BBC

The UK must "rebuild relations" with the EU "while respecting the decision of the British people" who voted to leave in 2016, the Bank of England's governor will say later.

From BBC

Waring was also said to have helped Chapman take the car to a rural location near Frodsham, Cheshire, on New Year's Eve, where it was later found burned out.

From BBC

She was later asked by him to go to Monaco to work as a personal assistant for his younger brother, Salah, but on her arrival, she found there was very little work to do.

From BBC

She went back, but Rachael says 18 months later she was lured to Mohamed Al Fayed’s Park Lane home where he sexually assaulted her.

From BBC

Related Words

• afterward
• again
• next
• subsequently
• thereafter