What does "late" mean?
Late: Far advanced toward the end or close; as, a late hour of the day; a late period of life.
Additional senses
- 2.Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; lately deceased, departed, or gone out of office; as, the late bishop of London; the late administration.
- 3.Not long past; happening not long ago; recent; as, the late rains; we have received late intelligence.
- 4.Continuing or doing until an advanced hour of the night; as, late revels; a late watcher.
- 5.After the usual or proper time, or the time appointed; after delay; as, he arrived late; -- opposed to early.
- 6.Not long ago; lately.
- 7.Far in the night, day, week, or other particular period; as, to lie abed late; to sit up late at night. Of late, in time not long past, or near the present; lately; as, the practice is of late uncommon. -- Too late, after the proper or available time; when the time or opportunity is past.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00