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

An example of the latter comes courtesy of Air Canada. —Ars Technica, 25 Dec. 2024

Only a few places, such as St. Paul, Minnesota, and Crested Butte, Colorado, boast consistently high probabilities, with the latter at an almost certain 99% due to its high elevation in the Rocky Mountains. —Dianne Plummer, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024

Ian and Amy Routledge from Kent, U.K., were able to capture one such instance of the latter on a Ring security camera, with the footage subsequently shared with Newsweek. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

Multi-day passes start at $199 for two days of riding and $229 for three days, though the latter is offered only on weekdays. —Sarah Cahalan, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2024