Etimology
Adverb: From Middle English later, latere, from Old English lator, equivalent to late + -er. Adjective: From Middle English later, latere, from Old English lætra, equivalent to late + -er. Cognate with Saterland Frisian leeter (“later”), West Frisian letter (“later”), Dutch later (“later”), German Low German later (“later”).
adverb
later
comparative form of late: more late
Afterward in time (used with than when comparing with another time).
At some unspecified time in the future.
Examples
You came in late yesterday and today you came in even later.
My roommate arrived first. I arrived later.
I arrived later than my roommate.
I wanted to do it now, but I’ll have to do it later.
Related words
synonyms
(afterward in time): afterwards, hereafter; see also Thesaurus:subsequently
(at some unspecified time in the future): later on, someday; see also Thesaurus:one day
antonyms
earlier
(antonym(s) of "At some unspecified time in the future"): once
adjective
later
comparative form of late: more late
Coming afterward in time (used with than when comparing with another time).
Coming afterward in distance (following an antecedent distance as embedded within an adverbial phrase)
At some time in the future.
Examples
Jim was later than John.
The Victorian era is a later period of English history than the Elizabethan era.
I felt some leg pain during the first mile of my run and I strained my calf two miles later.
The meeting was adjourned to a later date.
Related words
antonyms
earlier
interjection
later
(slang) See you later; goodbye.
Examples
Later, dude.