later

1 of 2

adverb

lat·​er ˈlā-tər 

: 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 of later

Adverb

• afterward
• after
• thereafter

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

Adverb

Weiss later let Alfonsi, executive producer Tanya Simon, and correspondent Cecilia Vega go. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 4 June 2026

Nearly a decade later, the grudge is still going strong. —Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026

Blessing later ran into a wall, disabling the vehicle. —Seamus Bozeman follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026

The small Nordic country had applied to join the EU in 2009 in the wake of the global financial crisis, before suspending membership talks four years later. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 4 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing later

• at a later/future date
• later on
• no/not later than
• see you (around/later)
• sooner or later
• sooner rather than later

Rhymes for later

• cater
• crater
• frater
• freighter
• gator
• grater
• accelerator
• accumulator
• adjudicator
• administrator
• appropriator
• articulator