later

At some time after now or after the time being discussed.

• I will call you later.
• Two days later, the letter arrived.
• We can talk about it later on.

Similar words: afterwards, afterward

Opposites: earlier

Common phrases: see you later, a week later, later on

At a time after another person, event, or expected time.

• We left later than usual.
• She woke up much later than I did.
• Could we start a little later?

How to use it: later than someone/something (I arrived later than my brother.)

Similar words: afterwards

Opposites: earlier

Common phrases: arrive later, later than expected, much later

Used to warn that something bad might happen if you do not take care.

• Be careful, later you fall!
• Take an umbrella, later it rains!
• Hurry up, later we miss the bus!

Similar words: otherwise, or else

Common phrases: later you fall, later it rains

Happening or existing after another time or event.

• Take a later train.
• A later edition corrected the mistake.
• Can we arrange a later appointment?

How to use it: a later something than… (We chose a later flight than our friends.)

Similar words: subsequent, following

Opposites: earlier

Common phrases: a later date, a later version, a later train

Happening nearer the end of a period or process.

• The later chapters are harder.
• In her later years, she lived by the sea.
• Treatment becomes more difficult in the later stages of the disease.

Opposites: earlier

Common phrases: later stages, later years, later chapters

After travelling a further stated distance.

• One mile later, we stopped.
• Ten kilometres later, the road became narrow.
• Two miles later, my bike had another flat tyre.

How to use it: distance + later (Five miles later, we reached a village.)

Common phrases: two miles later, ten kilometres later

Used when leaving someone to say goodbye.

• Later, guys!
• I have to go. Later!
• Later, mate! Have a good evening.

Similar words: bye, see you

Common phrases: later dude, later everyone, later mate