- 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 centuryThese bulbs bloom in late spring.a girl in her late teensa ) 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 Picasso3. ) only before noun happening at a time just before the present:a late news development4. ) only before noun used for talking about someone who has died, especially recently:my late auntlate in the daytoo late to take action:It's a little late in the day to complain about it.late of FORMALif someone is late of a place or organization, they recently lived or worked there but do not live or work there nowlatelate 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 asused 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 neverused for telling someone you are happy they did something, but you wish they had done it earlierof late FORMALrecently:We have not seen him of late.
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.