the latter

noun

1

: the second one of two things or people that have been mentioned

Of these two options, the former is less expensive, while the latter is less risky.

2

: the last thing or person mentioned

Of chicken, fish, and meat, I like the latter best.

3

: the thing or person that has just been mentioned

The President—or, if the latter is too busy, the Vice President—will see you shortly.

Examples of the latter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Kremlin is also exploiting frictions between the United States and Europe over the latter’s reservations about the Iran war. —Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026

At 6-8, Johnson boasts a size advantage over the 6-4 Hart, but the latter has managed to hold up in that matchup. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026

Emails between Venice Biennale organizers and the Russian Pavilion commissioner reveal plans to close the latter pavilion to the public after the vernissage. —Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 28 Apr. 2026

Although the car is normally available with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox, the special edition is expected to only be available with the latter. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026

Rhymes for the latter

• backscatter
• antimatter
• atter
• batter
• blatter
• catarrh
• chatter
• clatter
• fatter
• flatter
• hatter
• matter