the latter

noun

1

: the second one of two things or people that have been mentioned

Of these two options, the former is less expensive, while the latter is less risky.

2

: the last thing or person mentioned

Of chicken, fish, and meat, I like the latter best.

3

: the thing or person that has just been mentioned

The President—or, if the latter is too busy, the Vice President—will see you shortly.

Examples of the latter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To be sure, the latter scenario hinges on Republicans also obtaining majorities in both the House and Senate. —Fred Imbert, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024

In the 2016 election between Trump and , the latter narrowly lost out on two swing states—Michigan and Wisconsin. —Joe Edwards, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

The former can’t resist the allure of a tobacco and vaping tax, while the latter has fallen back in love with look, sensations and aesthetics of smoking. —Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024

After designing interiors for Michelle Obama and Shonda Rhimes—the latter wrote the foreword to this book—he was appointed by President Obama to serve on the Committee for the Preservation of the White House in 2010. —Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2024