Late means arriving or happening after the expected or usual time. As an adjective it describes people or events that are delayed (a late train). As an adverb it describes when something happens (She arrived late). It can also mean near the end of a period of time (late summer, in the late 1990s).
What Does Late Mean?
Late is one of the most common words in everyday English and belongs to the core A2 vocabulary that all learners should master early. Despite its simplicity, it has several distinct uses that can trip up intermediate and advanced learners.
The primary meaning is after the expected time: if a meeting starts at 9 o'clock and you arrive at 9:15, you are late. This sense works both as an adjective (a late arrival) and as an adverb (arrive late). The adjective and adverb forms are identical — there is no separate *latedly.
A second important meaning is near the end of a time period: late afternoon, the late 18th century, in late December. Here late contrasts with early and mid. A third, more formal use is before a name to mean recently deceased: the late Professor Webb.
Do not confuse late (after the expected time) with lately (recently, in the recent past). These are two separate adverbs with different meanings.
Example Sentences (A2–C1)
| Sentence | Level | Usage note |
|---|---|---|
| She arrived late to the meeting and apologised. | A2 | late as adverb modifying arrived |
| The bus was ten minutes late, so I missed my connection. | A2 | late as adjective after linking verb was |
| We went for a walk in the late afternoon when it had cooled down. | B1 | late as adjective meaning near the end of a period |
| I stayed late at the office to finish the quarterly report before the deadline. | B2 | stayed late — fixed collocation in professional contexts |
| The style owes much to the late works of Turner, painted during the artist's final decade. | C1 | late works — near the end of a career or life; formal/academic register |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| arrive late | He always arrives late to team meetings. |
| run late | Sorry, I'm running late — I'll be there in five minutes. |
| stay late | She stayed late to help the new colleague settle in. |
| work late | He worked late every night during the product launch. |
| late night | We had a late night finishing the presentation. |
| late payment | A late payment fee will be charged after 30 days. |
| fashionably late | She arrived fashionably late, as usual. |
| better late than never | You finally finished the course — better late than never! |
Usage Notes
Key points for learners
- Late vs lately: Late as an adverb means after the expected time (arrived late). Lately means recently (I haven't been sleeping well lately). Never use lately to mean late for an appointment.
- Be late for vs be late to: In British English, late for is more standard when a noun follows (late for school, late for the meeting). Late to is acceptable, especially with events or places, but late for is preferred in formal writing.
- Later vs latter: Later refers to time (I'll call you later). Latter refers to the second of two things just mentioned (of the two options, I prefer the latter). These are frequently confused.
- The late [name]: Use the late before a person's name to indicate they have recently died. It is respectful and slightly formal. Do not use it for people who are still alive.
- No article needed: When late is used as an adverb, no article is needed: She arrived late (not *arrived the late). As an adjective before a noun the usual article rules apply: a late train, the late edition.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
I haven't seen him lately for class.
I haven't seen him recently / He has been absent from class lately. (lately means recently, not after the expected time)
She came late to work and her boss got angry with she.
She came late to work and her boss got angry with her. (object pronoun after a preposition)
He was very late of the flight because of the traffic.
He was very late for the flight because of the traffic. (use late for, not late of)
Related Words
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms: early, punctual, on time, prompt