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be late
/biː leɪt/
arrive after the expected time
She is always late for meetings.
She arrives after the scheduled meeting time.
neutral
to arrive or happen after the planned, expected, or usual time
The train was late by 20 minutes.
The train arrived 20 minutes after its scheduled time.
I was late for work because of heavy traffic.
I arrived at work after the usual starting time due to traffic.
Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. Often followed by 'for' + noun (e.g., 'late for school', 'late for dinner').
Collocations
be late forarriving after the expected time for an event or appointmentbe late withfailing to complete or deliver something on timebe running lateto be delayed and likely to arrive after the expected time
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Mistake: 'Late to' vs. 'Late for'
Use 'late for' when referring to events or appointments (e.g., 'late for a meeting'). Use 'late with' when referring to tasks or deliveries (e.g., 'late with the report'). Avoid 'late to' in standard English.
Gold Rule
Rule of Thumb for 'Be Late'
If you are going to be late, it is polite to inform others in advance, especially in professional or social contexts.
Word Origin
The phrase combines the verb 'be' (Old English 'bēon') and the adjective 'late' (Old English 'læt', meaning 'slow' or 'tardy'). The idiomatic sense of 'late' as 'after the expected time' dates back to Middle English.
Usage Notes
Used universally in English-speaking cultures. In professional settings, chronic lateness may be considered disrespectful. In some cultures, punctuality is highly valued, while in others, a flexible approach to time is more common.
Word Breakdown
be
auxiliary verb indicating state or condition
rootlate
after the expected or usual time
adjectiveEnglish Dictionary