How to Pronounce Later

To pronounce "later", say LAT-er — 2 syllables, IPA /ˈleɪtə/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

later

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

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2

Syllables

5

Letters

/ˈleɪtə/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “later”

"later" has 2 syllables: lat-er. It rhymes with perpetrator and collaborator, if that helps it stick.

What does later mean?

adjective

  1. Near the end of a period of time.

    “It was late in the evening when we finally arrived.”

  2. Specifically, near the end of the day.

    “It was getting late and I was tired.”

adverb

  1. After a deadline has passed, past a designated time.

    “We drove as fast as we could, but we still arrived late.”

  2. 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.”

adverb

  1. Afterward in time (used with than when comparing with another time).

    “I arrived later than my roommate.”

  2. At some unspecified time in the future.

    “I wanted to do it now, but I’ll have to do it later.”

Synonyms

erenowfreshlybelatedlyafterwardshereafterlater onsomeday

Antonyms

earlier

Hear “later” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with later

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

perpetratorcollaboratoroperatorfetorindicatorarbitratorcuratordictatoractivatorinnovatorinstigatormater

Related words

afterwardsaftersubsequentlysubsequentfuturelatterlastulterior

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "later"?▾

"Later" has 2 syllables: lat · er.

What is the IPA transcription of "later"?▾

The IPA transcription of "later" is /ˈleɪtə/.

What does "later" mean?▾

Later: Near the end of a period of time.

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