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Late vs. Lately — What's the Difference?

Late vs. Lately — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Late and Lately

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Compare with Definitions

Late

Coming, occurring, continuing, or remaining after the correct, usual, or expected time; delayed
A late breakfast.
A late meeting.

Lately

Recently; not long ago
She hasn't been looking too well lately

Late

Occurring at an advanced hour, especially well into the evening or night
A late movie on television.
The late flight to Denver.

Lately

Not long ago; recently.

Late

Of or toward the end or more advanced part, as of a period or stage
The late 19th century.
A later symptom of the disease.
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Lately

Recently; not long ago; of late.
I'd lately returned from Japan.
It's only lately that I've been well enough to get out of bed.

Late

Having begun or occurred just previous to the present time; recent
A late development.

Lately

Not long ago; recently; as, he has lately arrived from Italy.

Late

Contemporary; up-to-date
The latest fashion.

Lately

In the recent past;
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

Late

Having recently occupied a position or place
The company's late president gave the address.

Late

Dead, especially if only recently deceased
In memory of the late explorer.

Late

After the expected, usual, or proper time
A train that arrived late.
Woke late and had to skip breakfast.

Late

At or until an advanced hour
Talked late into the evening.

Late

At or into an advanced period or stage
A project undertaken late in her career.

Late

Recently
As late as last week he was still in town.

Late

Near the end of a period of time.
It was late in the evening when we finally arrived.

Late

Specifically, near the end of the day.
It was getting late and I was tired.

Late

Associated with the end of a period.
Late Latin is less fully inflected than classical Latin.

Late

Not arriving until after an expected time.
Even though we drove as fast as we could, we were still late.
Panos was so late that he arrived at the meeting after Antonio, who had the excuse of being in hospital for most of the night.

Late

Not having had an expected menstrual period.
I'm late, honey. Could you buy a test?

Late

Deceased, dead: used particularly when speaking of the dead person's actions while alive. the"; see usage notes.}}
Her late husband had left her well provided for.
The piece was composed by the late Igor Stravinsky.

Late

Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; departed, or gone out of office.
The late bishop of London
The late administration

Late

Recent — relative to the noun it modifies.

Late

(astronomy) Of a star or class of stars, cooler than the sun.

Late

(informal) A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place late in the day or at night.

Late

After a deadline has passed, past a designated time.
We drove as fast as we could, but we still arrived late.

Late

Formerly, especially in the context of service in a military unit.
Colonel Easterwood, late of the 34th Carbines, was a guest at the dinner party.
The Hendersons will all be there / Late of Pablo Fanque's Fair / What a scene!

Late

Not long ago; just now.

Late

Coming after the time when due, or after the usual or proper time; not early; slow; tardy; long delayed; as, a late spring.

Late

Far advanced toward the end or close; as, a late hour of the day; a late period of life.

Late

Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; recently deceased, departed, or gone out of office; as, the late bishop of London; the late administration.

Late

Not long past; happening not long ago; recent; as, the late rains; we have received late intelligence.

Late

Continuing or doing until an advanced hour of the night; as, late revels; a late watcher.

Late

After the usual or proper time, or the time appointed; after delay; as, he arrived late; - opposed to early.

Late

Not long ago; lately.

Late

Far in the night, day, week, or other particular period; as, to lie abed late; to sit up late at night.

Late

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
In the middle years
In his middle thirties

Late

After the expected or usual time; delayed;
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

Late

Of the immediate past or just previous to the present time;
A late development
Their late quarrel
His recent trip to Africa
In recent months
A recent issue of the journal

Late

Having died recently;
Her late husband

Late

Of a later stage in the development of a language or literature; used especially of dead languages;
Late Greek
Middle English is the English language from about 1100 to 1500
Middle Gaelic

Late

At or toward an end or late period or stage of development;
The late phase of feudalism
A later symptom of the disease
Later medical science could have saved the child

Late

(used especially of persons) of the immediate past;
The former president
Our late President is still very active
The previous occupant of the White House

Late

Later than usual or than expected;
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

Late

To an advanced time;
Deep into the night
Talked late into the evening

Late

At an advanced age or stage;
She married late
Undertook the project late in her career

Late

In the recent past;
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

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