late

late1 [ leıt ] adjective ***

1. ) not usually before noun if you are late, you arrive somewhere after the correct or usual time:

She called to say she'd be late.

late for: He was ten minutes late for school.

too late (=so late that you miss the chance to do something): We climbed the hill to watch the sunset, but we were too late.

a ) used about something that happens after the correct or usual time:

There is a penalty for late registration.

late with: They're always late with their payments.

b ) used about something that continues after the time it usually ends:

We got caught in a late meeting.

2. ) only before noun near the end of a period of time such as a day, month, or season:

the late 18th century

These bulbs bloom in late spring.

a girl in her late teens

a ) near the end of an evening or night:

If it weren't so late I would give Donna a call.

b ) done near the end of someone's life or career:

The symphony is a late work.

a late Picasso

3. ) only before noun happening at a time just before the present:

a late news development

4. ) only before noun used for talking about someone who has died, especially recently:

my late aunt

late in the day

too late to take action:

It's a little late in the day to complain about it.

late of FORMAL

if someone is late of a place or organization, they recently lived or worked there but do not live or work there now

late

late 2 [ leıt ] adverb ***

1. ) after the correct or usual time:

The trains are running 15 minutes late.

The trees are flowering late this year.

2. ) near the end of a period of time such as a day, month, season, or someone's life or career:

Stop by late this afternoon.

late in: We plan to visit late in July.

late in life: He didn't receive the recognition he deserved until late in life.

a ) near the end of an evening or night:

We won't arrive home until late, so don't wait up for us.

as late as

used for saying that something happened or continued more recently than you would expect:

As late as the 1980's foreign trade accounted for a very small proportion of Soviet national income.

better late than never

used for telling someone you are happy they did something, but you wish they had done it earlier

of late FORMAL

recently:

We have not seen him of late.