latest

UK: /ˈleɪtɪst/ US: /ˈleɪtɪst/ ,(lā′tist)

From late (adv):

later

adv comparative

latest

adv superlative

From late (adj):

later

adj comparative

latest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

lat•est /ˈleɪtɪst/   adj. 

1. most recent;
   current:
   the latest fashions.
2. last.

adv. 
3. at the latest, not any later than (a time mentioned):
   I'll be there at 3:00 at the latest.

n. [uncountable* the + ~]
4. the most recent news, development, etc.:
   Here's the latest from our news bureau.
Usage
See last¹.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

lat•est  (lā′tist), adj. [a superl. of] late with later  as compar.

1. most recent;
   current:
   latest fashions.
2. last.

adv. 

3. Idioms at the latest, not any later than (a specified time):
   Be at the airport by 7 o'clock at the latest.

n. 

4. the latest, the most recent news, development, disclosure, etc.:
   This is the latest in personal computers.

• 1375–1425; late Middle English; see late, -est

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

latest / ˈleɪtɪst/ adjective , adverb

1. the superlative of late

adjective

1. most recent, modern, or new: the latest fashions

noun

1. at the latest ⇒ no later than the time specified
2. the latest ⇒ the most recent fashion or development

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

late /leɪt/   adj., lat•er or lat•ter, lat•est or last /læst/   adv., lat•er, lat•est. 

adj. 

1. occurring after the usual or proper time:
   a late spring.
2. continued until after the usual time or hour:
   a late business meeting.
3. near or at the end of the day or well into the night:
   a late hour.
4. most recent:
   [before a noun] Here is a late news bulletin.
5. recently deceased:
   [before a noun] the late John and Jane Doe.
6. belonging to an advanced period or stage in the history or development of something:
   [before a noun] the late phase of feudalism.
7. belonging in or near the end of a stage or period in a life:
   [before a noun] in his late twenties.

adv. 

8. after the usual or proper time, or after delay:
   to arrive twenty minutes late.
9. until after the usual time or hour, esp. of the night:
   to work late.
10. recently but no longer;
    lately.

Idioms

11. Idioms of late, lately;
    recently:
    He seems tired of late.

late•ness, n. 

[uncountable] Please excuse the lateness of the hour.

[countable] Two latenesses count as one absence.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

late  (lāt), adj., lat•er or lat•ter, lat•est or last, adv. lat•er, lat•est. 
adj. 

1. occurring, coming, or being after the usual or proper time:
   late frosts; a late spring.
2. continued until after the usual time or hour;
   protracted:
   a late business meeting.
3. near or at the end of day or well into the night:
   a late hour.
4. belonging to the time just before the present moment;
   most recent:
   a late news bulletin.
5. immediately preceding the present one;
   former:
   the late attorney general.
6. recently deceased:
   the late Mr. Phipps.
7. occurring at an advanced stage in life:
   a late marriage.
8. belonging to an advanced period or stage in the history or development of something:
   the late phase of feudalism.
9. Idioms of late, lately;
   recently:
   The days have been getting warmer of late.

adv. 

10. after the usual or proper time, or after delay:
    to arrive late.
11. until after the usual time or hour;
    until an advanced hour, esp. of the night:
    to work late.
12. at or to an advanced time, period, or stage:
    The flowers keep their blossoms late in warm climates.
13. recently but no longer:
    a man late of Chicago, now living in Philadelphia.

• bef. 900; Middle English; Old English læt slow, late; cognate with German lass slothful, Old Norse latr, Gothic lats slow, lazy, Latin lassus tired

late′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. tardy; slow, dilatory; delayed, belated.
• 4. See modern. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

late / leɪt/ adjective

1. occurring or arriving after the correct or expected time: the train was late
2. (prenominal) occurring, scheduled for, or being at a relatively advanced time: a late marriage
3. (prenominal) towards or near the end: the late evening
4. at an advanced time in the evening or at night: it was late
5. (prenominal) occurring or being just previous to the present time: his late remarks on industry
6. (prenominal) having died, esp recently: my late grandfather
7. (prenominal) just preceding the present or existing person or thing; former: the late manager of this firm
8. of late ⇒ recently; lately

adverb

1. after the correct or expected time: he arrived late
2. at a relatively advanced age: she married late
3. recently; lately: as late as yesterday he was selling books
4. late hours ⇒ rising and going to bed later than is usual
5. late in the day ⇒ at a late or advanced stage
6. too late

Etymology: Old English læt; related to Old Norse latr, Gothic lats

ˈlateness noun