late

The word “late” means arriving or happening after the expected or usual time. In plain terms, not on time, or near the end of something — or, before a name, a polite way to say someone has died.

“Late” is pronounced layt (/leɪt/ in IPA).

Here is “late” used in a sentence: “The train was twenty minutes late.”

Words with a similar meaning to “late” include tardy.

The opposite of “late” — its antonyms — are early, mid and middle.

Depending on how it is used, “late” can be an adjective and an adverb.

The word “late” comes from Old English. From Old English læt, meaning "slow" or "sluggish" — related to the verb "let".

“Late” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

The main opposites of 'late' are 'early,' meaning before the expected time, and 'on time' or 'punctual,' meaning exactly when expected. If a train arrives late it comes after its scheduled time; if it is early or punctual, it arrives before or right on schedule.

'Late' simply means arriving or happening after the expected time, whatever the reason. 'Delayed' points to a cause — something has been held up or postponed, pushing it back. A person can be late through their own choice, but a flight is usually delayed by weather, traffic, or technical problems.

In most cultures being late is seen as negative, since it can seem disrespectful of other people's time and disrupt schedules. That said, lateness is not always serious, and expectations vary between cultures and situations. Being a few minutes late to a casual meeting matters far less than missing a flight.

The most common meaning is arriving or happening after the expected time. But 'late' has other senses: it can mean near the end of a period, as in 'late afternoon,' or recently deceased, as in 'the late Mr. Jones.' Context makes clear which meaning is intended.