adj. 1 tardy, delayed, overdue, behindhand, dilatory, unpunctual; belated, US past due He was even late for his own wedding Better late than never. Your mortgage payment is late again. 2 recent, last, new, fresh, current, up to date Have you got a copy of a late edition of today's newspaper? 3 deceased, departed, dead; former, past, ex-, recent, previous, preceding, old (See also 5 , below.) Here is a song by the late, great Bing Crosby He has a meeting with Lord Pamby, late chairman of United Oxidation. 4 of late. See 5., below.
adv. 5 recently, lately, previously, formerly, once, heretofore, in recent or former time(s), of late, latterly (See also 3., above.) They are dining tonight with Sir Keith, late of Scotland Yard 6 till or at an advanced hour or time I was up late last night She married late. 7 tardily, unpunctually, belatedly We arrived too late for the first act 8 recently, lately As late as a week ago they were still holding the job open for her