Late vs. Lately — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 2, 2024
Late refers to something being delayed or occurring after the expected time, while lately indicates recent times or the near past. Both terms deal with time but in different contexts.
Difference Between Late and Lately
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Key Differences
Late is commonly used to describe someone or something that is delayed or not on time, suggesting a deviation from a scheduled or expected timeframe. For instance, a train arriving after its due time is considered late. On the other hand, lately is an adverb referring to events or actions that have occurred in the recent past, often without specifying exactly when. It highlights a period of time leading up to the present.
While late can apply to a wide range of situations, from the arrival of a person or object to the occurrence of an event, it inherently carries a notion of tardiness or being behind schedule. For example, a student arriving after class has started is late. Lately, however, emphasizes the recent nature of actions or trends, without necessarily implying a comparison to a schedule or expectation. It's used to discuss recent changes or continuities, e.g., "I've been feeling tired lately."
Late often conveys a negative connotation, particularly when it refers to the failure to meet deadlines or appointments. This negative aspect can imply repercussions or a need for adjustment to accommodate the delay. Conversely, lately is neutral and simply denotes a timeframe close to the current moment, without suggesting any judgment about the timeliness or delay of the events it describes.
In terms of usage, late is an adjective or an adverb, depending on its role in a sentence, affecting nouns (late arrival) or actions (arriving late). Lately, being exclusively an adverb, modifies verbs, indicating when an action took place, such as "have seen" in "I haven't seen him lately."
The interpretation of late can also extend beyond timeliness to denote the latter part of a period or the end of a life, as in "the late 19th century" or "the late Mrs. Smith." Lately, however, remains firmly anchored in its role of discussing recent times without these additional meanings.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective/Adverb
Adverb
Usage Context
Describes tardiness or after the expected time
Refers to the recent past
Connotation
Often negative, implying delay
Neutral, simply denotes recency
Typical Modifiers
People, events, objects
Actions, conditions
Example Sentence
"He arrived late to the meeting."
"He has been arriving early lately."
Compare with Definitions
Late
No longer living.
The painting was a masterpiece by the late artist.
Lately
Used to indicate a change in a state or behavior.
She's been feeling much better lately.
Late
Slow to be realized or recognized.
His talent for music was a late discovery.
Lately
Not long ago.
Lately, I've started a new hobby.
Late
After the expected, scheduled, or usual time.
She apologized for being late to the dinner.
Lately
Recently; in the recent past.
Have you seen any good movies lately?
Late
Towards the end of a period.
It was late in the evening when they finally arrived.
Lately
In the last few days or weeks.
The weather has been very unpredictable lately.
Late
Recent, but not the most recent.
In the late 1990s, internet usage surged.
Lately
Refers to a period close to the present.
Lately, the company has seen tremendous growth.
Late
Coming, occurring, continuing, or remaining after the correct, usual, or expected time; delayed
A late breakfast.
A late meeting.
Lately
Recently; not long ago
She hasn't been looking too well lately
Late
Occurring at an advanced hour, especially well into the evening or night
A late movie on television.
The late flight to Denver.
Lately
Not long ago; recently.
Late
Of or toward the end or more advanced part, as of a period or stage
The late 19th century.
A later symptom of the disease.
Lately
Recently; not long ago; of late.
I'd lately returned from Japan.
It's only lately that I've been well enough to get out of bed.
Late
Having begun or occurred just previous to the present time; recent
A late development.
Lately
Not long ago; recently; as, he has lately arrived from Italy.
Late
Contemporary; up-to-date
The latest fashion.
Lately
In the recent past;
He was in Paris recently
Lately the rules have been enforced
As late as yesterday she was fine
Feeling better of late
The spelling was first affected, but latterly the meaning also
Late
Having recently occupied a position or place
The company's late president gave the address.
Late
Dead, especially if only recently deceased
In memory of the late explorer.
Late
After the expected, usual, or proper time
A train that arrived late.
Woke late and had to skip breakfast.
Late
At or until an advanced hour
Talked late into the evening.
Late
At or into an advanced period or stage
A project undertaken late in her career.
Late
Recently
As late as last week he was still in town.
Late
Near the end of a period of time.
It was late in the evening when we finally arrived.
Late
Specifically, near the end of the day.
It was getting late and I was tired.
Late
Associated with the end of a period.
Late Latin is less fully inflected than classical Latin.
Late
Not arriving until after an expected time.
Even though we drove as fast as we could, we were still late.
Panos was so late that he arrived at the meeting after Antonio, who had the excuse of being in hospital for most of the night.
Late
Not having had an expected menstrual period.
I'm late, honey. Could you buy a test?
Late
Deceased, dead: used particularly when speaking of the dead person's actions while alive. the"; see usage notes.}}
Her late husband had left her well provided for.
The piece was composed by the late Igor Stravinsky.
Late
Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; departed, or gone out of office.
The late bishop of London
The late administration
Late
Recent — relative to the noun it modifies.
Late
(astronomy) Of a star or class of stars, cooler than the sun.
Late
(informal) A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place late in the day or at night.
Late
After a deadline has passed, past a designated time.
We drove as fast as we could, but we still arrived late.
Late
Formerly, especially in the context of service in a military unit.
Colonel Easterwood, late of the 34th Carbines, was a guest at the dinner party.
The Hendersons will all be there / Late of Pablo Fanque's Fair / What a scene!
Late
Not long ago; just now.
Late
Coming after the time when due, or after the usual or proper time; not early; slow; tardy; long delayed; as, a late spring.
Late
Far advanced toward the end or close; as, a late hour of the day; a late period of life.
Late
Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; recently deceased, departed, or gone out of office; as, the late bishop of London; the late administration.
Late
Not long past; happening not long ago; recent; as, the late rains; we have received late intelligence.
Late
Continuing or doing until an advanced hour of the night; as, late revels; a late watcher.
Late
After the usual or proper time, or the time appointed; after delay; as, he arrived late; - opposed to early.
Late
Not long ago; lately.
Late
Far in the night, day, week, or other particular period; as, to lie abed late; to sit up late at night.
Late
Being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time;
Late evening
Late 18th century
A late movie
Took a late flight
Had a late breakfast
In the middle years
In his middle thirties
Late
After the expected or usual time; delayed;
A belated birthday card
I'm late for the plane
The train is late
Tardy children are sent to the principal
Always tardy in making dental appointments
Late
Of the immediate past or just previous to the present time;
A late development
Their late quarrel
His recent trip to Africa
In recent months
A recent issue of the journal
Late
Having died recently;
Her late husband
Late
Of a later stage in the development of a language or literature; used especially of dead languages;
Late Greek
Middle English is the English language from about 1100 to 1500
Middle Gaelic
Late
At or toward an end or late period or stage of development;
The late phase of feudalism
A later symptom of the disease
Later medical science could have saved the child
Late
(used especially of persons) of the immediate past;
The former president
Our late President is still very active
The previous occupant of the White House
Late
Later than usual or than expected;
The train arrived late
We awoke late
The children came late to school
Notice came so tardily that we almost missed the deadline
I belatedly wished her a happy birthday
Late
To an advanced time;
Deep into the night
Talked late into the evening
Late
At an advanced age or stage;
She married late
Undertook the project late in her career
Late
In the recent past;
He was in Paris recently
Lately the rules have been enforced
As late as yesterday she was fine
Feeling better of late
The spelling was first affected, but latterly the meaning also
Common Curiosities
What does "late" mean?
Late describes being after the expected or usual time, or towards the end of a period.
Can "late" have positive connotations?
Typically, late has negative connotations related to delay, but it can be neutral when referring to time periods (e.g., late 19th century).
Is "lately" always related to time?
Yes, lately is always related to discussing events or conditions in the recent past.
Can "late" be used without implying negativity?
Yes, when referring to periods or in expressions like "the late Mr. Smith," it's neutral.
How is "lately" used differently from "late"?
Lately is used to refer to the recent past, without implying delay or being after an expected time.
Do "late" and "lately" have the same part of speech?
No, late can be an adjective or adverb, while lately is exclusively an adverb.
Can "late" refer to someone who has passed away?
Yes, "late" can refer to someone who is no longer living.
How does "lately" indicate recent changes?
It suggests that something has been happening in the time leading up to the present.
How can "late" and "lately" be used in sentences?
"He's running late for the meeting." vs. "He's been very helpful lately."
What is the difference in the emotional tone between "late" and "lately"?
Late often carries a negative tone due to implications of delay, whereas lately is neutral.
How specific is the timeframe when using "lately"?
"Lately" indicates a general recent past without specific boundaries.
Is it correct to use "lately" to describe something long-term?
Lately typically refers to the recent past, so it's not used for long-term descriptions.
Is "late" appropriate for describing fashionably late arrivals?
Yes, though it may carry a lighter tone depending on context.
Can "lately" be used in formal writing?
Yes, lately can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Can "lately" imply a comparison to previous behavior or trends?
Yes, it often suggests a comparison to how things were before the recent period.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
