latter
[ lat-er ]
/ ˈlæt ər /
adjective
Origin of latter
Words nearby latter
latrodectus,
latrorse,
lats,
latte,
latten,
latter,
latter-day,
latter-day saint,
latter-day saints,
latterly,
lattermost
Definition for latter (2 of 2)
late
[ leyt ]
/ leɪt /
adjective, lat·er or lat·ter, lat·est or last.
adverb, lat·er, lat·est.
Origin of late
before 900; Middle English; Old English
læt slow, late; cognate with German
lass slothful, Old Norse
latr, Gothic
lats slow, lazy, Latin
lassus tired
OTHER WORDS FROM late
late·ness, noun o·ver·late, adjective o·ver·late·ness, nounExample sentences from the Web for latter
British Dictionary definitions for latter (1 of 2)
latter
/ (ˈlætə) /
adjective (prenominal)
- denoting the second or second mentioned of two: distinguished from former
- (as noun; functioning as sing or plural)the latter is not important
near or nearer the end
the latter part of a film
more advanced in time or sequence; later
usage for latter
The latter should only be used to refer to the second of two items:
many people choose to go by hovercraft rather than use the ferry, but I prefer the latter. The last of three or more items can be referred to as
the last-named
British Dictionary definitions for latter (2 of 2)
late
/ (leɪt) /
adjective
adverb
Derived forms of late
lateness, nounWord Origin for late
Old English
læt; related to Old Norse
latr, Gothic
lats
usage for late
Since
late can mean
deceased, many people think it is better to avoid using this word to refer to the person who held a post or position before its present holder:
the previous (not
the late)
editor of The Times
Idioms and Phrases with latter
late