Late for Dummies

Hey there! I'm happy to explain what "late" means. Are you ready to dive into this word and understand its different meanings? Let's get started!

First of all, "late" can be used as an adjective to describe something that happens or arrives after the expected or planned time. Imagine you're waiting for a friend at the park, but they show up fifteen minutes after the agreed-upon time. That means your friend is running late. Being late can apply to people, things, or even events.

But wait, there's more! The word "late" can also be used to describe someone who has passed away. When we say someone is "late," we mean that they are no longer here with us. It's a polite and kind way to refer to those who have died. You might hear people say, "My late grandmother loved baking cookies."

In addition, "late" can also be used as an adverb to describe an action happening later than usual. For instance, let's imagine you have a habit of going to bed at 9 p.m., but one night you stay up until midnight. In this case, you went to bed late. So, "late" as an adverb indicates that something happens at a time that is later than expected or typical.

Now, think about a train. You're waiting for the train to arrive, and the schedule says it should be there at 10 a.m. Suddenly, you look at your watch, and it's already 10:15 a.m., but the train still hasn't shown up. You might wonder, "Why is the train late?" In this context, "late" means that the train is not adhering to the expected or scheduled time.

Let me give you another example to help solidify the concept. Imagine you have a library book due on Monday, and you decide to return it on Wednesday instead. In this scenario, you returned the book late. The due date was Monday, but you took a couple of extra days to bring it back to the library. So, "late" can also refer to something happening or being done after the expected or required time.

So, to sum it up, "late" can mean that something happens or arrives after the expected time, it can describe someone who has passed away, and it can refer to an action occurring at a time that is later than usual or required. That's a lot to absorb, but I hope I was able to help you understand this word. Do you have any more questions? Feel free to ask!