adj
latter
LAT-uh
adj
1
Being the second of two things just mentioned.
"Of the two options, I'd choose the latter."
"The essay compares two poems; the latter is far more personal."
2
Closer to the end of a period.
"He achieved most of his fame in the latter half of his career."
How to Use Latter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRefers to the second of two things just mentioned, or a later part of a period.
Common mistake
Use "latter" only when exactly two things were named; for three or more, say "the last" or "the last-mentioned" instead.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
the former... the latter
in the latter half
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Of the two options, I'd choose the _____.
Etymology
From Old English lætra, the comparative of læt ("late").