Late | Mean of late in English Dictionary

/ˈleɪt/

• existing or happening near the end of a period of time
1. It happened in late spring.
2. His health problems began when he was in his late thirties. [=when he was about 38 or 39 years old]
3. The problems began in the late 1930s. [=in about 1938 or 1939]
4. a word first recorded in the late 17th century
5. It was late (in the evening) when we finally went to bed.
• coming or happening after the usual, expected, or desired time
1. The train is (a half hour) late.
2. We had a late spring this year.
3. I'm sorry I'm late.
4. He made a late payment. = He was late with his payment. = He was late (in) paying.
5. Hurry up or we'll be late for school.
6. We arrived late because we got/had/made a late start. [=we started at a later time than we had meant to]
7. Their warning was too late to help him.
• doing something after the usual time or after others usually do
1. I've always been a late riser.
2. a late walker [=a child who learned to walk at a later age than most other children]

• living until recently
1. He made a donation to the school in memory of his late wife.
2. the late John Smith
• after the expected or proper time
1. It's rather late in the day for an apology now, don't you think? [=it's late for an apology; you should have apologized sooner]
• a night when you stay awake until a late hour
1. We're tired today because we had a late night [=stayed up late] last night.
• at or near the end of a period of time or a process, activity, series, etc.
1. Late in the year he became ill.
2. It rained late in the day.
3. Late in his career he moved to the city.
4. a word first recorded late in the 17th century
5. They were trailing by a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
6. The package should be arriving late next week.
• after the usual or expected time
1. She arrived at work (a half hour) late.
2. He sent in his job application late.
3. They arrived too late for breakfast.
4. I like getting up late.
5. The package arrived late, but better late than never!
6. She's been working late.
7. They stayed late.
• as recently as
1. The company is now in serious trouble, but it was reporting record profits as late as last year.
• having recently lived or worked in (a place, a company, etc.)
1. The company's new president is Mark Jones, late of Chicago.
• during a recent period
1. They have not seen him of late. [=lately, recently]
2. Of late she has been acting strangely.