1late 
/ˈleɪt/ adjective
lat·er; lat·est /ˈleɪt/ adjective 1 : existing or happening near the end of a period of time
▪ It happened in late spring. ▪ His health problems began when he was in his late thirties. [=when he was about 38 or 39 years old] ▪ The problems began in the late 1930s. [=in about 1938 or 1939] ▪ a word first recorded in the late 17th century ▪ It was late (in the evening) when we finally went to bed. — opposite early; see also later 2 a : coming or happening after the usual, expected, or desired time
▪ The train is (a half hour) late. ▪ We had a late spring this year. ▪ I'm sorry I'm late. ▪ He made a late payment. = He was late with his payment. = He was late (in) paying. ▪ Hurry up or we'll be late for school. ▪ We arrived late because we got/had/made a late start. [=we started at a later time than we had meant to] ▪ Their warning was too late to help him. — opposite early
b : doing something after the usual time or before others usually do
▪ I've always been a late riser. ▪ a late walker [=a child who learned to walk at a later age than most other children] — opposite early 3 always used before a noun : living until recently : not now living
▪ He made a donation to the school in memory of his late wife. ▪ the late John Smith
▪ It happened in late spring. ▪ His health problems began when he was in his late thirties. [=when he was about 38 or 39 years old] ▪ The problems began in the late 1930s. [=in about 1938 or 1939] ▪ a word first recorded in the late 17th century ▪ It was late (in the evening) when we finally went to bed. — opposite early; see also later
▪ The train is (a half hour) late. ▪ We had a late spring this year. ▪ I'm sorry I'm late. ▪ He made a late payment. = He was late with his payment. = He was late (in) paying. ▪ Hurry up or we'll be late for school. ▪ We arrived late because we got/had/made a late start. [=we started at a later time than we had meant to] ▪ Their warning was too late to help him. — opposite early
b : doing something after the usual time or before others usually do
▪ I've always been a late riser. ▪ a late walker [=a child who learned to walk at a later age than most other children] — opposite early
▪ He made a donation to the school in memory of his late wife. ▪ the late John Smith
born too late — see born
it's getting late
— used to say that time is passing and especially that evening or late evening is coming ▪ It's getting late so we should probably go home.
late bloomer — see bloomer
late in the day
: after the expected or proper time
▪ It's rather late in the day for an apology now, don't you think? [=it's late for an apology; you should have apologized sooner]
▪ It's rather late in the day for an apology now, don't you think? [=it's late for an apology; you should have apologized sooner]
late night
: a night when you stay awake until a late hour
▪ We're tired today because we had a late night [=stayed up late] last night. — see also late-night
▪ We're tired today because we had a late night [=stayed up late] last night. — see also late-night
— late·ness noun [noncount]
▪ the lateness of the hour ▪ the lateness of the payment
▪ the lateness of the hour ▪ the lateness of the payment
