late的基本意思是“晚的”,可指与规定的、预期的或惯常的时间相比“晚的”“迟的”,也可指在事物本身发展过程中或某一时间单位(如年月)“晚期的”“后期的”。

The person who sets out late might be careless in driving.

出发晚的人开车可能会不小心。

As often as not, he's late for work.

他上班往往迟到。

Look at the time! We'll be late.

看几点了！我们要迟到了。