A1adjective 1K

Late

🇬🇧 UK /["/leɪt/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/leɪt/"]/

Meaning of Late

arriving, happening or done after the expected, arranged or usual time

In simple words: After the expected time

Late in a sentence

• I am late for my appointment today.
• She always arrives late to the class.
• Don't worry, the bus is never late.
• He was late to the party because of traffic.
• It's better to be late than never show up at all.

How to use Late

Use 'late' to describe someone who is not on time for an event or task. Avoid using it in very formal contexts, where 'tardy' might be preferred.

Grammar pattern

late + adjective/noun/verb phrase

Memory hint

Think of a clock striking late hours, like a bell ringing at 10 PM.

Related words

Collocations with Late

• be
• feel
• seem
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• for
• in
• into
• an hour, ten minutes, etc. late
• leave it rather, very, etc. late

Synonyms for Late

• delayed
• tardy
• overdue
• behind schedule
• belated

Opposites of Late

• early
• on time

Common mistakes with Late

• Confusing 'late' with 'lately', which means recently.
• Using 'late' with the wrong tense, for example, saying 'I will be late yesterday.'
• Confusing 'late' with 'later' when indicating time.

Frequently asked questions about Late

What does Late mean?

After the expected time

What is the definition of Late?

arriving, happening or done after the expected, arranged or usual time

How do you use Late in a sentence?

I am late for my appointment today.

Can you give another example of Late?

She always arrives late to the class.

What are synonyms for Late?

Common alternatives include delayed, tardy, overdue, behind schedule, belated.

What is the opposite of Late?

Opposite meanings include early, on time.

What words go with Late?

It commonly pairs with be, feel, seem, extremely, fairly, very, for, in, into, an hour, ten minutes, etc. late, leave it rather, very, etc. late.

What are common mistakes when using Late?

Confusing 'late' with 'lately', which means recently. Using 'late' with the wrong tense, for example, saying 'I will be late yesterday.' Confusing 'late' with 'later' when indicating time.

How do you pronounce Late?

US: /["/leɪt/"]/, UK: /["/leɪt/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Late?

Use 'late' to describe someone who is not on time for an event or task. Avoid using it in very formal contexts, where 'tardy' might be preferred.

What CEFR level is Late?

"Late" is at A1 level on the CEFR scale.