Definition of "late" in Englisch

adjective

1. Near the end of a period of time.

   • The seedlings appeared to be coming along nicely until a late frost killed them.
   • The meeting is convened for late morning.

2. Specifically, near the end of the day.

   • It was getting late and I was tired.

3. (usually not comparable) Associated with the end of a period.

   • Late Latin is less fully inflected than classical Latin.

4. Not arriving or occurring until after an expected time.

   • The flowers were late in blooming because of the prolonged cold weather.
   • Panos was so late that he arrived at the meeting after Antonio, who had the excuse of being in hospital for most of the night.
   • The heavy snow made all the trains late.

5. Levied as a surcharge on a payment which has not arrived by a specified deadline.

   • The power company suspended late fees during the pandemic.

6. Not having had an expected menstrual period.

   • I'm late, honey. Could you buy a test?

7. (not comparable, euphemistic) Deceased, dead: used particularly when speaking of the dead person's actions while alive. (Generally must be preceded by a possessive or an article, commonly "the"; see usage notes. Can itself only precede the person's name, never follow it.)

   • Her late husband had left her well provided for.
   • Mary was entitled to the crown by her late father’s testament.

8. Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; departed, or gone out of office.

   • the late bishop of London
   • the late administration

9. Recent — relative to the noun it modifies.

   • the late war

10. (astronomy) Of a star or class of stars, cooler than the sun.

noun

1. (informal) A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place late in the day or at night.

adverb

1. After a deadline has passed, past a designated time.

   • We drove as fast as we could, but we still arrived late.

2. Formerly, especially in the context of service in a military unit.

   • Colonel Easterwood, late of the 34th Carbines, was a guest at the dinner party.
   • The Hendersons will all be there / Late of Pablo Fanque's Fair / What a scene!