late
/leɪt/ (bre, ipa) · [lˈet] /leɪt/ (ame, ipa) · [lˈet] /ˈlāt/ (ame, mw)
late — adjective
- latepositive
- latercomparative
- latestsuperlative
1. coming, done, or reaching someone once the proper or expected time has already p
coming, done, or reaching someone once the proper or expected time has already passed.
Soraya was late for choir practice after her bike chain broke.
be late for + activity
A late train left commuters waiting in the cold rain.
late + transport noun
Christopher gave a late apology after the team had gone home.
Our teacher rejected the late form at the office door.
文法句型
be late for + noun
late + train / form / apology
用法筆記
Often follows be with for + event or place. Before a noun, it commonly describes arrivals, payments, forms, and apologies that miss the expected time.
常見錯誤
2. happening in the last part of a day, season, life stage, or other period.
happening in the last part of a day, season, life stage, or other period.
We found wild peaches in the late summer heat.
late + season noun
Bao's grandfather learned to swim in his late sixties.
in someone's late sixties
The museum stays open during the late evening in July.
The letter was written in the late nineteenth century.
- early
in the first part of the same period or age range
文法句型
late + summer / evening / century
in someone's late + plural number
用法筆記
Usually comes before nouns naming periods, parts of the day, or ages. Distinguish it from adjective/1, which is about missing an expected time.
3. placed before a person's title, name, or relationship noun to show that person h
placed before a person's title, name, or relationship noun to show that person has died.
Lena keeps her late mother's recipes in a blue tin.
late + family noun
The school named the library after its late principal.
late + role noun
Mateo's late uncle taught half the village to fish.
Fans still sing songs by the late singer Mando.
- living
still alive now
文法句型
late + husband / mother / father
the late + name or title
用法筆記
Used before a noun, especially family titles, public roles, and names. It does not mean 'former' here; it specifically marks that the person is dead.
常見錯誤
4. in football, describing a challenge that comes after the ball has gone and hits
in football, describing a challenge that comes after the ball has gone and hits the player instead.
The defender got a yellow card for a late tackle on Jun.
late tackle
One late challenge sent the striker hard onto the wet grass.
late challenge
The coach argued that the late foul was not deliberate.
Fans booed the late challenge near the edge of the box.
- mistimed
broader sports word for a challenge made at the wrong moment
- well-timed
made at the right moment to reach the ball cleanly
文法句型
late tackle
late challenge
late foul
用法筆記
Used in football when a player reaches the opponent after the ball has gone. It usually modifies challenge, tackle, or foul.
late — adverb
1. later than the agreed, usual, or acceptable moment.
later than the agreed, usual, or acceptable moment.
Ravindra checked in late and missed the free breakfast.
checked in late
The dentist started late when a child needed extra care.
start late
Please do not pay late if you want the discount.
Mateo arrived late because the last ferry was canceled.
- tardily
formal and much less common in everyday speech
文法句型
arrive late
start late
pay late
用法筆記
Usually describes missing an expected time, appointment, or deadline. Distinguish it from adverb/2, which means continuing until a later hour rather than falling behind schedule.
常見錯誤
2. in the later part of the day, night, life, or another period.
in the later part of the day, night, life, or another period.
Bao studied late in the library before the chemistry test.
studied late
The cafe stays open late on Fridays for musicians.
stay open late
Paul learned to drive late because he lived near the subway.
We talked late into the night on the hostel roof.
- until late
close paraphrase when the focus is on continuing to a late hour
- early
in the earlier part of the day, life, or period
文法句型
stay up late
work late
late into the night
用法筆記
Often shows that something continues to a later part of the day or night. With life stages, it can also mean at an older age than usual.
3. recently, especially in the phrase of late.
recently, especially in the phrase of late.
Of late, the shop has been closing earlier on Sundays.
fixed phrase: of late
Tourists have been scarce of late in the fishing town.
of late after clause
Of late, Sivan has preferred quiet weekends at home.
The twins have argued less of late since changing schools.
- previously
at an earlier time rather than in the recent period
文法句型
of late
用法筆記
Mostly appears as of late in slightly formal English. In everyday speech, learners will more often hear recently or lately.