adj.

1. being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
   
   • late evening
   • late 18th century
   • a late movie
   • took a late flight
   • had a late breakfast
2. after the expected or usual time; delayed;
   belated, tardy
   
   • a belated birthday card
   • I'm late for the plane
   • the train is late
   • tardy children are sent to the principal
   • always tardy in making dental appointments
3. of the immediate past or just previous to the present time;
   late(a), recent
   
   • a late development
   • their late quarrel
   • his recent trip to Africa
   • in recent months
   • a recent issue of the journal
4. having died recently;
   late(a)
   
   • her late husband
5. of a later stage in the development of a language or literature; used especially of dead languages
   
   • Late Greek
6. at or toward an end or late period or stage of development;
   later(a)
   
   • the late phase of feudalism
   • a later symptom of the disease
   • later medical science could have saved the child
7. (used especially of persons) of the immediate past;
   former(a), late(a), previous(a)
   
   • the former president
   • our late President is still very active
   • the previous occupant of the White House

adv.

1. later than usual or than expected;
   belatedly, tardily
   
   • the train arrived late
   • we awoke late
   • the children came late to school
   • notice came so tardily that we almost missed the deadline
   • I belatedly wished her a happy birthday
2. to an advanced time;
   deep
   
   • deep into the night
   • talked late into the evening
3. at an advanced age or stage
   
   • she married late
   • undertook the project late in her career
4. in the recent past;
   recently, lately, of late, latterly
   
   • he was in Paris recently
   • lately the rules have been enforced
   • as late as yesterday she was fine
   • feeling better of late
   • the spelling was first affected, but latterly the meaning also