Definition

A person or thing that arrives after the expected time or after others have already arrived.

Example

The latecomer quietly entered the room after the meeting had started.

Conversation

Did you notice the latecomer at the party last night?

Yeah, I saw them come in after everyone had already started dancing.

I wonder why they arrived so much later than the rest of us.

Maybe they got stuck in traffic or something like that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Latecomer → It is formed from "late" (from Old English *læt*, meaning delayed or after the expected time) and "comer" (from Old English *cuman*, meaning to come). A latecomer is someone who arrives after the expected time.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who arrives 'after' ('late') the expected time — that's why a latecomer is someone who comes late.

Visually Confused Words