What does lateness mean?
Lateness is the condition of being late, especially when arriving after the expected time or failing to meet a deadline. It can describe a person's habitual tendency to be delayed, as in “his constant lateness,” or a particular delay, such as “the train's lateness.” The word is neutral in many contexts but can carry a mildly critical or disapproving tone when it refers to repeated or avoidable delays. It can also describe the later part of the day, as in “the lateness of the hour,” where the meaning is primarily temporal rather than critical. Lateness is related to the adjective late and is more readily associated with events, appointments, transport, and obligations. In general, it is a useful word when the focus is on the fact of delay, rather than simply describing something as late.
nounThe fact or condition of being late, especially of arriving or doing something after the expected or required time. It can also refer to a period of time that is after a particular hour or deadline.
- The condition of arriving or doing something after the expected or required time.
- The time of day or night that is after a specified hour.
- The period of time after a deadline, especially when this delay is significant or repeated.
"Her lateness was explained by a delayed train."
"The flight's lateness was caused by severe weather."
"The lateness of the hour made it difficult to find a quiet place to study."
Rare in ordinary use, but valid when referring to multiple instances or instances of being late.
"The report documented the latenesses of successive arrivals."
Lateness is more than a late arrival: it names the entire condition of time slipping past the moment something was due.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of lateness
Lateness is a noun formed in the 19th century from late, an adjective and adverb meaning “after the usual or expected time,” together with the suffix -ness. The adjective late comes from Old English læt, originally meaning “late, delayed, or deceased,” and developed into its modern temporal senses. Related forms include latter, from a Germanic root associated with “later,” and latest, the usual superlative of late.
How lateness is actually used
Lateness is usually neutral or mildly disapproving, depending on context. It is common in both formal and informal English, while the related word tardiness is somewhat more formal.