好词典

later

UK //ˈleɪtə(r)//US //ˈleɪtər//

词源

源自中古英语 'later',与古英语 'læt'(意为“迟的”)相关,最终源自原始日耳曼语 *lataz。

adverb

❶ 指在某个时间点之后发生的事情,常用于表示比现在或之前提到的时间更晚的时刻。

“I'll call you later.”

(我稍后会给你打电话。)

“She arrived later than expected.”

(她比预期的时间来得晚。)

同义词:afterwards, subsequently, eventually

adjective

❶ 描述发生在更晚时间的事情或属于更晚时期的,常用于比较两个时间点。

“The later chapters of the book are more interesting.”

(这本书后面的章节更有趣。)

“In later years, he regretted his decision.”

(在之后的岁月里,他后悔了自己的决定。)

同义词:subsequent, following, latter

常见短语

later on — 表示在未来的某个时间点,通常用于非正式场合,指稍后或之后的时间。

“I'll finish my homework later on.”

(我待会儿再完成作业。)

sooner or later — 表示某事迟早会发生,强调无论早晚都会出现某个结果。

“Sooner or later, he will realize his mistake.”

(他迟早会意识到自己的错误。)