Latecomers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who arrive after an expected or planned time
2. people who join a group or event after it has already commenced
3. participants who are tardy to scheduled activities or gatherings

Etymology: "Latecomers" is the plural of "latecomer," a compound formed from "late" and "comer." The first element is the familiar adjective meaning arriving or occurring after the expected time, while "comer" is the agent noun built from the verb "come," so a latecomer is literally one who comes late. The pattern is transparent: English readily combines adjectives with agent nouns to name people by a characteristic action, as in "newcomer" and "stay-at-home." Because the parts are so plain, the word's meaning has stayed close to its literal sense. It names a person who arrives after a scheduled or expected moment, whether for a meeting, a meal, or a party, and the plural simply applies that description to a group.

Synonyms: arrivals, delayers

Antonyms: earlycomers, pioneers