latter
latter Lexical Profile
latter Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Denoting the second or second mentioned of two people or things.
"Between the original manuscript and the revised edition, historians generally prefer the latter version."
Situated or occurring nearer to the end of something than to the beginning.
"Construction of the new railway line accelerated during the latter half of the nineteenth century."
• noun
The second or second mentioned of two people, things, or groups (customarily preceded by 'the').
"She was offered positions in both London and Edinburgh, and she ultimately chose the latter."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'latter' with 'later'; 'latter' refers to the second of two previously mentioned items or the concluding part of a period, whereas 'later' means afterward in time. In strict formal usage, 'the latter' should only be used when comparing a pair of two items, while 'last' is used for three or more.
• Rhymes for latter
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'lætra', meaning 'slower' or 'more tardy', originally serving as the comparative form of 'læt' ('late') before becoming specialized to contrast with 'former'.