later

1 of 2

adverb

lat·​er ˈlā-tər How to pronounce later (audio)
Synonyms of laternext
: at some time subsequent to a given time : subsequently, afterward
one week later
they later regretted the decision
—often used with on
experience that will be useful later on

-later

2 of 2

noun combining form

: worshipper
bibliolater

Synonyms

Adverb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of later in a Sentence

Adverb I'll talk to you again later. They later regretted the decision. She returned several weeks later. I saw him again later that morning.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
Justin Rose made a birdie at the 16th hole minutes later, while McIlroy bogeyed 14 to fall back into second place. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 But a prevailing question is whether the administration has raced to act, made mistakes and later applied new narratives and legal justifications to specific deportation cases challenged in the news and in the courts. — Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025 Or, a bit later in the play, a conversation between Henry Johnson and the prison guard Jerry (Keith Kupferer) puts it slightly differently. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025 Bivens said Balmer was inside the residence for less than a minute and later arrested in the area. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for later

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

see late entry 1

Noun combining form

French -latre, from Late Latin -latres, from Greek -latrēs; akin to Greek latron pay

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of later was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing later

Rhymes for later

See All Rhymes for later

Browse Nearby Words

-later
later
laterad
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Later.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/later. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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