late late /ˈleɪt/

adjective

1. () Being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time  ( late )
   being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
    Late evening
   late evening
    Late 18th century
   late 18th century
    A late movie
   a late movie
    Took a late flight
   took a late flight
    Had a late breakfast
   had a late breakfast
   
2. () After the expected or usual time; delayed  ( tardy , lated [Archaic] , belated , late )
   after the expected or usual time; delayed
    A belated birthday card
   a belated birthday card
    I'm late for the plane
   I'm late for the plane
    The train is late
   the train is late
    Tardy children are sent to the principal
   tardy children are sent to the principal
    Always tardy in making dental appointments
   always tardy in making dental appointments
   
3. () Having died recently  ( late )
   having died recently
    Her late husband
   her late husband
   
4. () Of the immediate past or just previous to the present time  ( late , recent )
   of the immediate past or just previous to the present time
    A late development
   a late development
    Their late quarrel
   their late quarrel
    His recent trip to Africa
   his recent trip to Africa
    In recent months
   in recent months
    A recent issue of the journal
   a recent issue of the journal
   
5. () (linguistics) of a later stage in the development of a language or literature; used especially of dead languages  ( late )
   (linguistics) of a later stage in the development of a language or literature; used especially of dead languages
    Late Greek
   Late Greek
   
6. () At or toward an end or late period or stage of development  ( later , late )
   at or toward an end or late period or stage of development
    The late phase of feudalism
   the late phase of feudalism
    A later symptom of the disease
   a later symptom of the disease
    Later medical science could have saved the child
   later medical science could have saved the child
   
7. (used especially of persons) of the immediate past  ( late , former , previous )
   (used especially of persons) of the immediate past
    The former president
   the former president
    Our late President is still very active
   our late President is still very active
    The previous occupant of the White House
   the previous occupant of the White House
   

adverb

1. () Later than usual or than expected  ( belatedly , tardily , late )
   later than usual or than expected
    The train arrived late
   the train arrived late
    We awoke late
   we awoke late
    The children came late to school
   the children came late to school
    Notice came so tardily that we almost missed the deadline
   notice came so tardily that we almost missed the deadline
    I belatedly wished her a happy birthday
   I belatedly wished her a happy birthday
   
2. () To an advanced time  ( deep , late )
   to an advanced time
    Deep into the night
   deep into the night
    Talked late into the evening
   talked late into the evening
   
3. In the recent past  ( late , latterly , as of late , lately , of late , recently )
   in the recent past
    He was in Paris recently
   he was in Paris recently
    Lately the rules have been enforced
   lately the rules have been enforced
    As late as yesterday she was fine
   as late as yesterday she was fine
    Feeling better of late
   feeling better of late
    The spelling was first affected, but latterly the meaning also
   the spelling was first affected, but latterly the meaning also
   
4. At an advanced age or stage  ( late )
   at an advanced age or stage
    She married late
   she married late
    Undertook the project late in her career
   undertook the project late in her career