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latehappening or arriving after the expected or usual time

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: happening or arriving after the expected or usual time

Pronunciation (IPA): /leɪt/

Example Sentences

  • My alarm clock is broken, so I'm always fashionably late!
  • Better late than never, but never late is better.
  • I stayed up late watching Netflix and now I'm a zombie.

late

ADJECTIVE

[/leɪt/]

happening or arriving after the expected or usual time

A late student quietly enters the classroom after lessons have begun
💡 Concept

A late student quietly enters the classroom after lessons have begun

Too late to make the gate, now I wait!
🎵 Rhyme

Too late to make the gate, now I wait!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/leɪt/
🇬🇧 UK/leɪt/

🌳Etymology

Rootlate

Origin

The word 'late' derives from Old English 'læt', which originally meant 'slow' or 'sluggish'. Over time, the meaning evolved to describe something occurring after an expected or scheduled time.

Breakdown

læt (slow, sluggish) → late, with the semantic shift reflecting the connection between slowness and tardy arrival.

🎵Rhyme

fategateratewaitdate
fate
gate
rate
wait
date

🔗Collocations

be late for
come late
late night
run late
stay up late
late afternoon

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My alarm clock is broken, so I'm always fashionably late!

Better late than never, but never late is better.

😄 Fun example

I stayed up late watching Netflix and now I'm a zombie.

The late train caused me to miss my job interview.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

delayedtardyoverduebehindbelated

Antonyms

earlypunctualprompt

Related

delaytardinesspunctualityscheduletime

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