Better late than never

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Meaning

Doing something after the ideal time is preferable to not doing it at all. Often said lightly after a delay. It can sound inadequate when the delay had serious consequences. Regional use: Middle English literary proverb; now widespread.

Origin

Chaucer is not the earliest English witness. A Middle English Gregoriuslegende of about 1330 says that it is better to cease late than never in order to free one's soul. Chaucer later gives the inverted For better than never is late in the Canon's Yeoman's Tale. By about 1450, The Assembly of Gods has the modern order in the statement that abandoning vice is better late than never. The maxim excuses a useful delayed action; it does not imply that deadlines or harm caused by lateness never matter.

Research Sources

  1. The Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs Oxford University Press
  2. Cambridge Dictionary: better late than never Cambridge University Press
  3. The Assembly of Gods University of Chicago Library

Variants

  • Better late than not at all

Usage Examples

  • The apology took a year, but better late than never.
  • I finally backed up the photographs; better late than never.
  • The council repaired the crossing at last, and residents said better late than never.

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