late night — after midnight
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
A time period that is after midnight, usually when most people are asleep.
Say it like a native
Textbook I retired at an hour considerably past midnight.
Native It was a late night.
'A late night' is natural; the formal version is overwrought.
Pattern: late night (noun, usually singular or uncountable); used as 'late at night', 'a late night', or 'late-night (adj)'
In use
- I often feel hungry in the late night and end up having a snack.daily life
- I sometimes study until late at night, especially before exams, because it's quieter and I can concentrate better.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I had a late night yesterday night.
✓ I had a late night last night.
'last night', not 'yesterday night'.
Common collocations
a late night— have, another, working, out
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'evening' or 'night'—'late night' is specifically very late, usually after midnight.