later — English Dictionary

Adverb

1. Afterward in time (used with than when comparing with another time).

   Examples

   My roommate arrived first. I arrived later.

   I arrived later than my roommate.

2. At some unspecified time in the future.

   Examples

   I wanted to do it now, but I’ll have to do it later.

3. What if (something problematic or unanticipated happens); if not (something undesirable will happen).

   Usage

   • Manglish
   • Singlish

   Examples

   Compare Malay nanti (“later; if not”)

   Later you fall asleep how?

Adjective

1. Coming afterward in time (used with than when comparing with another time).

   Examples

   The Victorian era is a later period of English history than the Elizabethan era.

   The eldest son was usually given the name of his paternal grandfather, later children those of other relatives.

2. Coming afterward in distance (following an antecedent distance as embedded within an adverbial phrase)

   Examples

   I felt some leg pain during the first mile of my run and I strained my calf two miles later.

3. At some time in the future.

   Examples

   The meeting was adjourned to a later date.

Interjection

1. See you later; goodbye.

   Usage

   • Slang

   Examples

   Later, dude.

Adjective

1. coming at a subsequent time or stage

   Synonyms

   ulteriorposterior

   Examples

   without ulterior argument

   the mood posterior to

2. at or toward an end or late period or stage of development

   Synonyms

   late

   Examples

   the late phase of feudalism

   a later symptom of the disease

   More examples (1)

   later medical science could have saved the child

Adverb

1. happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

   Synonyms

   subsequentlyafterwardsafterwardafterlater on

   Examples

   he apologized subsequently

   he's going to the store but he'll be back here later

   More examples (2)

   it didn't happen until afterward

   two hours after that

2. at some eventual time in the future

   Synonyms

   by and by

   Examples

   By and by he'll understand

   I'll see you later

3. comparative of the adverb ‘late’

   Examples

   he stayed later than you did