Dictionary definition · late
adjective
- being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time"late evening"
- after the expected or usual time; delayed"a belated birthday card"
- of the immediate past or just previous to the present time"a late development"
- having died recently"her late husband"
- of a later stage in the development of a language or literature; used especially of dead languages"Late Greek"
- at or toward an end or late period or stage of development"the late phase of feudalism"
- (used especially of persons) of the immediate past"the former president"
adverb
- later than usual or than expected"the train arrived late"
- to an advanced time"deep into the night"
- at an advanced age or stage"she married late"
- in the recent past"he was in Paris recently"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).