Phrase Finder

Meaning

Better late than never

Categorised in: A List Of 720 English Proverbs, With Their Meanings Explained

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Better late than never'?

To arrive or do something later than expected isn't good, but it is better than not at all.

Better late than never
Better late than never - caption

What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Better late than never’?

This proverb is often expressed with a degree of sarcasm, apparently saying something positive but in fact merely remarking on someone’s lateness. A teacher might say it to a child arriving late for school, for example.

Geoffrey Chaucer appears to have been the first person to have put the proverb into print, in The Canterbury Tales - The Yeoman’s Prologue and Tale, circa 1386:

For bet than never is late. [Better than never is late.]

See also: the List of Proverbs.

Historical trend

“Better late than never” in printed material over time

Source: Google Books Ngrams (1800–2020).

180018201840186018801900192019401960198020002020
  • Better late than never