late

This page is about the euphemism late

Meaning

used instead of "dead" or "deceased" when mentioning a dead person

For example

  • Richard Flanagan's new novel is about the life of his late father.

  • We're making a movie about the world's greatest guitarist; the late, great Jimi Hendrix.

Quick Quiz

If someone mentions their "late mother", it means she's

a. very old

b. running late

c. no longer alive
a) very old b) running late c) no longer alive

Contributor: Matt Errey