later
gb/lˈeɪtɚ/ us/lˈeɪtɚ/
A1
English
~ 400
később, későbbi, késői, később!, szia, később!
A1
1
később
A2
Usage pattern:
[do something] later
I'll finish my homework later.
Később befejezem a házi feladatomat.
We can talk about it later.
Később beszélhetünk róla.
She said she'd call me later.
They decided to meet later in the day.
Learner examples
I will eat later.
Később fogok enni.
We will go later.
Később megyünk.
He will come later.
She will call later.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'later' with 'latter'; 'later' refers to time, while 'latter' refers to the second of two items.
Meaning
at a future time
Collocations
see you later
|talk later
|call later
|meet later
Synonyms
afterward (Slightly more formal and less common in everyday speech.)
|
subsequently (Formal and often used in written or academic contexts.)
Antonyms
earlier (Refers to a time before the present or before another mentioned time.)
Themes
daily life
|time
|planning
|core_vocabulary
Definition
At a time after now or after another time you talked about.
At a time in the future, after the present moment or after a specific mentioned time.
B1
2
In his later years, he moved to the countryside.
Későbbi éveiben vidékre költözött.
The disease is more serious in its later stages.
A betegség a későbbi stádiumaiban súlyosabb.
The later chapters of the book are more exciting.
Learner examples
He was happy in his later life.
Élete későbbi szakaszában boldog volt.
The later part of the movie was sad.
A film későbbi része szomorú volt.
We saw him in his later years.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'later' as an adjective with 'latest', which means 'most recent'.
Meaning
toward the end
Collocations
later years
|later stages
|later period
Synonyms
subsequent (Formal; emphasizes following in sequence.)
|
final (Implies last part, not just toward the end.)
Antonyms
earlier (Refers to being nearer the beginning of a period or sequence.)
Themes
time
|history
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening near the end of a time or order.
Happening toward the end of a period of time, sequence, or process.
A2
INFORMAL
3
később!
A2
Gotta go now—later!
Mennem kell most—később!
'Later!' he called as he left.
„Később!” – kiáltotta, miközben elment.
Thanks for coming over. Later!
Learner examples
I have to go. Later!
Mennem kell. Később!
Later, my friend!
Később, barátom!
See you tomorrow. Later!
Common mistake:
Learners might use 'later' this way in formal situations where it sounds too casual.
Meaning
goodbye until next time
Synonyms
see you (Neutral and widely used; not as slangy as 'later'.)
|
bye (Shorter and more general; not tied to future meeting idea.)
Antonyms
hello (Opposite in that it is used when meeting someone, not leaving.)
Themes
daily life
|greetings
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A friendly way to say goodbye until you see someone again.
Used informally as a casual way to say goodbye until a future meeting.
Grammar
Dictionary form
later
IPA
GB/lˈeɪtɚ/
US/lˈeɪtɚ/
Syllables & stress
later (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (later)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: later
- Comparative: laterer
- Superlative: laterest
Word family
Expressions
later on
1/lˈeɪtɚ ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
at some point afterward
At some time after now or after another time we talked about.
Examples
- We can discuss it later on.
- Later on, she became a famous writer.
sooner or later
1/sˈunɚ ˈɔɹ lˈeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
eventually, at some point in future
It will happen at some unknown time in the future.
Examples
- Sooner or later, you'll have to decide.
- Sooner or later, he will find out the truth.
- They knew trouble would come sooner or later.
- Everyone makes mistakes sooner or later.
see you later
1/sˈi jˈu lˈeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
Goodbye until later time
A friendly way to say goodbye when you will meet again soon.
Examples
- I have to go now. See you later!
- See you later! I'm off to class.
- See you later, Tom! Have a good day.
- I’ll see you later at the party.
see you later
2/sˈi jˈu lˈeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
informal
say goodbye until later
Used when saying goodbye, meaning you will see the person again soon.
Examples
- Bye! See you later.
- See you later at the party.