1. After the expected, usual, or proper time: a train that arrived late; woke late and had to skip breakfast. 2. a. At or until an advanced hour: talked late into the evening. b. At or into an advanced period or stage: a project undertaken late in her career. LATE definition: 1. (happening or being) near the end of a period of time: 2. (happening or arriving) after the…. Learn more. LATE definition: occurring, coming, or being after the usual or proper time: a late spring. See examples of late used in a sentence. LATE meaning: 1. (happening or being) near the end of a period of time: 2. (happening or arriving) after the…. Learn more. The meaning of LATE is coming or remaining after the due, usual, or proper time. How to use late in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Late. An event is late if it happens after a specified time. [synonyms ] [antonyms ] Synonyms: not on time, behind, behind schedule, belated, delayed, tardy, overdue and past due Near the end of a period of time. The seedlings appeared to be coming along nicely until a late frost killed them. The meeting is convened for late morning. In Southern U.S., evening is used for middle to late afternoon. Specifically, near the end of the day. It was getting late and I was tired. Some common synonyms of late are dead, deceased, defunct, and departed. While all these words mean devoid of life, late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status. late meaning, definition, what is late: arriving, happening, or done after the t.: Learn more. Late means after the expected time, or at the end of a certain period of time. if you're late for a movie, you get to the theater after the film's already started. If you're a late sleeper, you make a habit of dozing long after your alarm goes off.