Later — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adverb adjective /ˈlā-tər/ lat·er

Meaning & Definition of Later

Later (adverb)

  1. at some time subsequent to a given time, subsequently, afterward —often used with on

Later (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. following in time or place

    "we're going to go to the mall later on"

    similar: after, afterward, latterly, subsequently, thereafter
    related: next, by and by, hereafter, presently, since, soon, then, thereupon, hereinbelow, infra
    opposite: afore (chiefly dialect), ahead, antecedently, anteriorly, before, beforehand, earlier, previously
    near: formerly, heretofore, theretofore

Later (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being, occurring, or carried out at a time after something else

    "the details of the plan will be filled in at a later date"

    similar: after, ensuing, posterior, subsequent
    related: behind, belated, delayed, late, slow, closing, concluding, eventual, final, last, latest, latter, terminal, ultimate, following
    opposite: antecedent, anterior, fore, foregoing, former, precedent, preceding, previous, prior
    near: advance, advanced, early, premature

Related Entry: Late (adjective)

Late is a different word from Later. The synonyms below are for late, not for later.

  1. not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time

    "I ran as fast as I could, but was still late for class"

    similar: behind, behindhand, belated, delinquent, latish, overdue, tardy
    related: delayed, detained, postponed, dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, lagging, poky, slow, sluggish, unhurried
    opposite: early, inopportune, precocious, premature, unseasonable, untimely
    near: opportune, seasonable, timely, prompt, punctual

  2. having been such at some previous time

    "the late musical director said he would never have allowed such behavior while he was in charge"

    similar: erstwhile, former, old, once, onetime, other, past, quondam, sometime, whilom
    related: bygone, dead, defunct, departed, expired, extinct, gone, long-ago, vanished
    near: contemporary, current, extant, ongoing, present, present-day, coming, future, prospective, unborn

  3. no longer living

    "our late granduncle remembered us in his will"

    similar: asleep, breathless, cold, dead, deceased, defunct, demised, departed, fallen, gone, lifeless, low, bitten the dust
    related: extinct, dying, fading, moribund, stillborn, finished, lapsed, terminated, inanimate, insensate, nonliving
    opposite: alive, animate, breathing, going, live, living, quick
    near: animated, dynamic, lively, thriving, vibrant, vital, vivacious, active, functioning, operative, running

  4. being far along in development

    "late impressionism gave rise to pointillism"

    similar: advanced, developed, evolved, forward, high, higher, improved, progressive, refined
    related: precocious, full-blown, full-fledged, full-scale, aged, grown, mature, matured, perfected, ripe, ripened, civilized, educated, enhanced, enlightened, contemporary, current, cutting-edge, latest, leading-edge, mod, modern, new, newest, newfangled, new-fashioned, novel, now, present-day, recent, space-age, supermodern, ultramodern, up-to-date
    opposite: backward, low, lower, nonprogressive, primitive, rude, rudimentary, undeveloped
    near: green, immature, underdeveloped, undersized, underweight, unripe, unripened, savage, uncivilized, uneducated, early, embryonic, germinal, primeval, primordial, antediluvian, antiquated, antique, dated, fusty, hoary, musty, Neanderthal, obsolete, old, oldfangled, old-fashioned, old-time, out-of-date, outworn, passé, past

Related Entry: Late (adverb)

Late is a different word from Later. The synonyms below are for late, not for later.

  1. after the due, usual, or proper time

    "she has a habit of arriving late for everything"

    similar: belatedly, delinquently, tardily
    related: afterward, anon, eventually, later, latterly, subsequently, thereafter, dilatorily, laggardly, pokily, slow, slowly, sluggishly
    opposite: beforehand, early, inopportunely, precociously, prematurely, unseasonably
    near: immediately, promptly, punctually, pronto, quickly, rapidly, snappily, speedily, swiftly

  2. not long ago

    "the actress, late of New York but now of Los Angeles, is being eagerly sought for film roles"

    similar: freshly, just, lately, new, newly, now, only, recently, of late
    related: latterly
    opposite: anciently
    near: ago, before, earlier, early, erstwhile, formerly, previously, heretofore, hitherto

Related Entry: Sooner or later (adverb)

Sooner or later is a different word from Later. The synonyms below are for sooner or later, not for later.

  1. at a later time

    "sooner or later, the police are going to track down the burglar"

    similar: eventually, finally, someday, sometime, ultimately, yet, at last, at length, in the end, in the fullness of time, in time
    related: anon, before long, by and by, directly, imminently, momentarily, presently, shortly, soon, forthwith, immediately, promptly, pronto, right away, right now, right off, straightaway, straightway
    near: ne'er, never, nevermore

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Later

The most common words with a similar meaning to Later:

after, afterward, latterly, subsequently, thereafter, ensuing, posterior, subsequent

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Later

Words with the opposite meaning of Later:

afore, ahead, antecedently, anteriorly, before, beforehand, earlier, previously, antecedent, anterior, fore, foregoing, former, precedent, preceding, previous, prior

Related Words for Later

next, by and by, hereafter, presently, since, soon, then, thereupon, hereinbelow, infra, behind, belated, delayed, late, slow, closing, concluding, eventual, final, last, latest, latter, terminal, ultimate, following

Near Antonyms of Later

formerly, heretofore, theretofore, advance, advanced, early, premature

Origin & Etymology of Later

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Later

Words & Phrases Containing Later

-later, later on, sooner or later, no/not later than, sooner rather than later, at a later/future date, see you (around/later)

Frequently Asked Questions about Later

What does "Later" mean?

"Later" means at some time subsequent to a given time, subsequently, afterward —often used with on. As an an adverb and an adjective, it is defined as: at some time subsequent to a given time, subsequently, afterward —often used with on. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Later"?

Other words for "Later" include after, afterward, latterly, subsequently, thereafter, ensuing, posterior and subsequent. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Later" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Later"?

There are 33 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Later". Common alternatives include after, afterward, latterly, subsequently, thereafter, ensuing, posterior and subsequent.

What is the opposite of "Later"?

Antonyms of "Later" include afore, ahead, antecedently, anteriorly, before, beforehand, earlier and previously. Near antonyms include formerly, heretofore, theretofore and advance.

How do you use "Later" in a sentence?

Examples of "Later" in a sentence: "we're going to go to the mall later on"; "the details of the plan will be filled in at a later date".

Is "Later" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Later" can be used as an adverb and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Later" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Later" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Later"?

"Later" is pronounced /ˈlā-tər/ and divided into syllables as lat·er.