late

Late is an adjective and adverb that denotes occurrence after the expected or usual time. It can describe delays, overdue events, or actions performed after a planned time. It can modify a noun, as in a late arrival or a late shipment, and it can describe a period or time of day, such as late afternoon or late spring, as well as a historical span, like the late 19th century. As a noun phrase, the late is used to refer to a person who has died, for example, the late President Smith.

Etymology and usage notes: Late derives from Old English laten, meaning slow or tardy, from a Germanic root related to the modern Dutch laat. The word is used in phrases such as “in the late 1990s” to indicate the latter part of a time period, or “in the late hours” to indicate a late hour of the night. The term also appears in etiquette and journalism, where it helps distinguish current events from those past or deceased.

Social and cultural aspects: Attitudes toward lateness vary by context and culture. In many professional settings, punctuality is valued and lateness is viewed negatively, while personal or informal contexts may be more forgiving. The term “late” is also used in obituary wording and date-referencing to convey respect or historical perspective.

See also: lateness, tardiness, punctuality, deadline.