The vs. Late — What's the Difference?
Difference Between The and Late
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Definitions
The➦
The ( (listen)) is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers or speakers. It is the definite article in English.
Late➦
Coming, occurring, continuing, or remaining after the correct, usual, or expected time; delayed
A late breakfast.
A late meeting.
The➦
Denoting one or more people or things already mentioned or assumed to be common knowledge
Call the doctor
The phone rang
What's the matter?
Late➦
Occurring at an advanced hour, especially well into the evening or night
A late movie on television.
The late flight to Denver.
The➦
Used to point forward to a following qualifying or defining clause or phrase
The fuss that he made of her
The top of a bus
I have done the best I could
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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The➦
Used to make a generalized reference to something rather than identifying a particular instance
I worry about the future
He taught himself to play the violin
Late➦
Having begun or occurred just previous to the present time; recent
A late development.
The➦
Enough of (a particular thing)
He hoped to publish monthly, if only he could find the money
Late➦
Contemporary; up-to-date
The latest fashion.
The➦
(pronounced stressing ‘the’) used to indicate that someone or something is the best known or most important of that name or type
He was the hot young piano prospect in jazz
Late➦
Having recently occupied a position or place
The company's late president gave the address.
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The➦
Used adverbially with comparatives to indicate how one amount or degree of something varies in relation to another
The more she thought about it, the more devastating it became
Late➦
Dead, especially if only recently deceased
In memory of the late explorer.
The➦
To that extent; by that much. Used before a comparative
The sooner the better.
Late➦
After the expected, usual, or proper time
A train that arrived late.
Woke late and had to skip breakfast.
The➦
Beyond any other
Enjoyed reading the most.
Late➦
At or until an advanced hour
Talked late into the evening.
The➦
1=With a comparative or with more and a verb phrase, establishes a correlation with one or more other such comparatives.
The more I think about it, the weaker it looks.
The more money donated, the more books purchased, and the more happy children.
It looks weaker and weaker, the more I think about it.
Late➦
At or into an advanced period or stage
A project undertaken late in her career.
The➦
1=With a comparative, and often with none.}}
It was a difficult time, but I’m the wiser for it.
It was a difficult time, and I’m {none - not any} the wiser for it.
I'm much the wiser for having had a difficult time like that.
Late➦
Recently
As late as last week he was still in town.
The➦
See Thee.
Late➦
Near the end of a period of time.
It was late in the evening when we finally arrived.
The➦
A word placed before nouns to limit or individualize their meaning.
Late➦
Specifically, near the end of the day.
It was getting late and I was tired.
The➦
By that; by how much; by so much; on that account; - used before comparatives; as, the longer we continue in sin, the more difficult it is to reform.
So much the rather thou, Celestial Light,Shine inward, and the mind through all her powersIrradiate.
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
