late

Adjective

• (used especially of persons) of the immediate past
  • the former president
    
  • our late President is still very active
    
  • the previous occupant of the White House
    

• at or toward an end or late period or stage of development
  • the late phase of feudalism
    
  • a later symptom of the disease
    
  • later medical science could have saved the child
    

• of a later stage in the development of a language or literature; used especially of dead languages
  • Late Greek
    

• having died recently
  • her late husband
    

• of the immediate past or just previous to the present time
  • a late development
    
  • their late quarrel
    
  • his recent trip to Africa
    
  • in recent months
    
  • a recent issue of the journal
    

• after the expected or usual time; delayed
  • a belated birthday card
    
  • I'm late for the plane
    
  • the train is late
    
  • tardy children are sent to the principal
    
  • always tardy in making dental appointments
    

• being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
  • late evening
    
  • late 18th century
    
  • a late movie
    
  • took a late flight
    
  • had a late breakfast
    

Adverb

• in the recent past
  • he was in Paris recently
    
  • lately the rules have been enforced
    
  • as late as yesterday she was fine
    
  • feeling better of late
    
  • the spelling was first affected, but latterly the meaning also
    

• at an advanced age or stage
  • she married late
    
  • undertook the project late in her career
    

• to an advanced time
  • deep into the night
    
  • talked late into the evening
    

• later than usual or than expected
  • the train arrived late
    
  • we awoke late
    
  • the children came late to school
    
  • notice came so tardily that we almost missed the deadline
    
  • I belatedly wished her a happy birthday
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  former(a) , late(a) , previous(a) , later(a) , recent , belated , tardy , recently , lately , of late , latterly , deep , belatedly , tardily
• Antonyms: 
  early , middle , ahead of time , too soon