Definition of: late

(lāt) adjective lat·er or lat·ter, lat·est or last
1. Coming after the appointed time; tardy.
2. Far advanced toward the end or close; at or continuing to an advanced hour.
3. Recent or comparatively recent: often implying a subsequent change.
4. Deceased, especially recently deceased.
—adverb
1. After or beyond the usual proper or appointed time; after delay; at or until an advanced hour.
2. Not long ago; recently.
3. After a while; in course of time: contrasted with soon or early: We rue our follies soon or late: more frequently used in the comparative degree.
—of late In time not long past or near present; recently. [OE lœt late, slow]
—late′ness noun