Later Definition & Meaning

later
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"; "it didn't happen until afterward"; "two hours after that"
  2. at some eventual time in the future; "By and by he'll understand"; "I'll see you later"
  3. comparative of the adverb `late'; "he stayed later than you did"
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"; "later medical science could have saved the child"

Synonyms for later

after adv

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time; "he apologized subsequently

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
afterward adv

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time; "he apologized subsequently

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
afterwards adv

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time; "he apologized subsequently

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
future adj

yet to be or coming; "some future historian will evaluate him" effective in or looking toward the future

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
last adv

most_recently; "I saw him last in London" the item at the end; "last, I'll discuss family values" immediately past

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
late adv

later than usual or than expected; "the train arrived late"; "we awoke late"; "the children came late to school

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
latter adj

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several); "in the latter case"

♫ Rhymes
subsequently adv

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time; "he apologized subsequently

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
ulterior adj

lying beyond what is openly revealed or avowed (especially being kept in the background or deliberately concealed)

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms

"Later" in song lyrics

See how later is used in real songs:

  • "Get it now there may not be a later"
    2 Hungry Bros. present 8thW1 — Talkin
  • "It's now 1984, five hundred years later"
    2 Live Crew — Revelation
  • "He'll do ya know and see ya later"
    2nd II None — The Life of a Player

Words that rhyme with later

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Usage tips for "later"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "later" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for later to find words that pair well.

Use "later" in a verse

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♫ Rhymes with later ↔ Synonyms for later 🔬 Words containing later

Frequently asked questions

What does later mean?
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"; "it didn't happen until afterward"; "two hours after that" at some eventual time in the future; "By and by he'll understand"; "I'll see you later" comparative of the adverb `late'; "he stayed later than you did" coming at a subsequent time or stage; "without ulterior argument"; "the mood posterior to" at or toward an end or late period or stage of development
What part of speech is later?
Later is an adverb and an adjective.
How many definitions does later have?
Later has 5 definitions across 2 parts of speech (adverb, adjective).

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