Meaning & use
latenesses
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“latenesses” is a form of “lateness”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounplural
instances or cases of arriving or happening after the expected time
Grammar: Plural countable noun; use it when counting or comparing several occasions of being late.
Patterns
- the latenesses of something
- repeated latenesses
- various latenesses
The report listed the latenesses of the trains over the month.
Repeated latenesses can lead to a warning at work.
The teacher noted the latenesses of several students in her record book.
Word forms
| singular | lateness |
|---|
Common combinations
- repeated latenesses
- Repeated latenesses were mentioned in his performance review.
- the latenesses of the buses
- The latenesses of the buses were worse during the winter.
- a pattern of latenesses
- There was a clear pattern of latenesses every Monday morning.
Synonyms and how they differ
- delays
- Delays is more general and can refer to things being held up, while latenesses specifically refers to being late.
- tardinesses
- Tardinesses is even more formal and rare, often used in official contexts.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: latenesses or latenesses vs. lateness?
latenesses vs latenesses vs. lateness
The singular 'lateness' is far more common; use the plural only when you mean several separate instances.
Practice
Choose the sentence that uses 'latenesses' correctly.
Choose one answer.
Only the first option uses the plural noun correctly to mean several instances of being late. The second uses it as an adjective, the third uses a plural noun with a singular verb, and the fourth uses a plural noun where a singular is needed.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “latenesses”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.