Definition of "later" in English

adverb

1. comparative form of late: more late

   • You came in late yesterday and today you came in even later.

2. Afterward in time (used with than when comparing with another time).

   • My roommate arrived first. I arrived later.
   • I arrived later than my roommate.

3. At some unspecified time in the future.

   • I wanted to do it now, but I’ll have to do it later.

4. (Manglish, Singlish) What if (something problematic or unanticipated happens); if not (something undesirable will happen).

   • Compare Malay nanti (“later; if not”)
   • Later you fall asleep how?

adjective

1. comparative form of late: more late

   • Jim was later than John.

2. Coming afterward in time (used with than when comparing with another time).

   • The Victorian era is a later period of English history than the Elizabethan era.

3. Coming afterward in distance (following an antecedent distance as embedded within an adverbial phrase)

   • I felt some leg pain during the first mile of my run and I strained my calf two miles later.

4. At some time in the future.

   • The meeting was adjourned to a later date.

interjection

1. (slang) See you later; goodbye.

   • Later, dude.