Later meaning

What does “later” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“later” is an adjective and adverb with 5 meanings. Its most common meaning is: coming at a subsequent time or stage.

later

adjective

  1. coming at a subsequent time or stage

    “without ulterior argument”

    “the mood posterior to”

  2. at or toward an end or late period or stage of development

    “the late phase of feudalism”

    “a later symptom of the disease”

    Synonymslate

adverb

  1. happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

    “he apologized subsequently”

    “he's going to the store but he'll be back here later”

  2. at some eventual time in the future

    “By and by he'll understand”

    “I'll see you later”

    Synonymsby and by
  3. comparative of the adverb `late'

    “he stayed later than you did”

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University