Later - latter

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These two words are etymologically connected, and look quite similar. But they sound different, and have different meanings.

  • Later rhymes with 'waiter', IPA: /'leɪ tə/. It is the comparative form of late (~ 'more late'), and is the opposite of earlier.
  • Latter rhymes with 'matter', IPA: /'læ tə/. It is an older comparative form of late, now only used as the opposite of 'former'. It is used when we want to guide a reader between, or refer to, two items. The one mentioned first is the former; the one mentioned second is the latter.