Later
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈleɪ.tə/ · Part of speech adverb
Quick meaning: Later is an adverb meaning comparative form of late: more late.
Meaning
comparative form of late: more late.
More Meanings
- Afterward in time (used with than when comparing with another time).
- At some unspecified time in the future.
- (Manglish, Singlish) What if (something problematic or unanticipated happens); if not (something undesirable will happen).
- Coming afterward in time (used with than when comparing with another time).
- Coming afterward in distance (following an antecedent distance as embedded within an adverbial phrase)
- At some time in the future.
- (slang) See you later; goodbye.
Example Sentences
Jim was later than John.
Later you fall asleep how?
I arrived later than my roommate.
Compare Malay nanti (“later; if not”)
Synonyms for later
Depending on context, synonyms include afterwards, someday, sekali, subsequently, last, ulterior.
Antonyms for later
Common opposites include earlier, once.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include afterwards, after, subsequently, subsequent, future, latter.
Related Dictionary Tools
Practice “later” in a Crossword
Recall this definition from a clue, use crossing letters, and review the word again when you solve it.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.