What it means
A latecomer is someone who turns up after the thing's already in motion. Could be the mate sliding into the cinema once the trailers are gone, the guest rocking up when the good snacks got wiped out, or the person finally clocking a trend after everyone else rinsed it to death. It can be literal lateness or just being late to the hype.
Usage examples
"As a latecomer to the show, I had to binge four seasons to catch up with everyone."
"The latecomers had to squeeze into the back row once the lights were already down."
"Typical latecomer behaviour, he started watching the series when the finale memes were already ancient."
"She's such a latecomer, turned up to the barbecue when all that was left was one sad veggie skewer."
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Where it comes from
Latecomer is a straightforward English compound built from late and comer, meaning somebody who arrives after others. It shows up in English from the 17th century and has long worked both for people who physically turn up late and for anyone slow to join an idea, craze, or movement.
Editors of this term
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