Definition and meaning of English word "late"
late
/leɪt/
Meaning
AdjectiveOccurring or arriving after the expected, usual, or correct time.
How to use
'Late' describes something happening or arriving after the expected or usual time. For example, 'I am late for work' or 'The train was late.' It is most often used as an adjective or adverb. Note that 'the late shift' is a set phrase for work that happens in the evening or at night — here 'late' is still functioning as an adjective describing the shift, not as a noun on its own.
🇬🇧 English
late
Example
I am late
He comes late
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- work the late shift— work the late shift
- late shift hours— late shift hours
- switch to the late shift— switch to the late shift
More Time & Calendar words
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #352 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "late" mean?▼
The English word "late" means "late" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "late"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "late" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "late"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "I am late" (which translates as "late").
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