How to pronounce later
Say it like LAY-ter. Later has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce later. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LAY
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Later pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of later
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: LAY-tuh.
What does later mean?
- happening at a time subsequent to a reference time“he apologized subsequently”“he's going to the store but he'll be back here later”
- at some eventual time in the future“By and by he'll understand”“I'll see you later”
- comparative of the adverb late“he stayed later than you did”
- coming at a subsequent time or stage“without ulterior argument”“the mood posterior to”
- at or toward an end or late period or stage of development“the late phase of feudalism”“a later symptom of the disease”
Where does later come from?
Cognate with Saterland Frisian leeter (“later”), West Frisian letter (“later”), Dutch later (“later”), German Low German later (“later”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with later
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of later.
Questions about saying later
How do you pronounce later?
Say LAY-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈleɪtɚ/. In British English it is /ˈleɪtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in later?
Later has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAY). Broken into parts: LAY · ter.
Is later pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈleɪtə/ (LAY-tuh).