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Can latter be used of more than two?
There is some controversy afoot regarding the use of latter, particularly regarding its use to refer to items in a series. Many commentators insist that latter can only be used of a series that consists of two:
We have a chicken entree and a vegetarian entree: do you prefer the former or the latter?
When presented with a series of three or more, they say, anyone wishing to highlight the last item in the series should use last and not latter:
We had soup, fish, and dessert, and the last was uninspiring.
But our evidence shows that latter is used to refer to the last in a series regardless of number:
After Ethel's action at Oxford, the ultimate sacrifice that symbolizes her self-discipline, the focus moves away to other members of her family for the latter third of the novel...
— Melissa Schaub, Studies in the Novel, Spring 2007...I am getting crosser and snappier and sadder every minute straining and struggling to type and to read and to draw (the latter is the easiest).
— James Thurber, letter, 9 June 1939...bee not over-power'd with policie, nor with enforcement of arguments, nor with the approach of Souldiers, and Troopers; the two first may seeme to perswade you, the latter may terrifie you into an everlasting undoing...
— A.L., To all the honest, wise, and grave-citizens of London, but more especially to all those that challenge an interest in the Common-Hall, 1648
This use is common enough that most modern dictionaries make mention of it in their definitions for latter—and indeed they should, since our evidence for this particular use is several hundred years old. Despite this evidence, however, there are still those who object to its use; if you are concerned about such things, use last to refer to the last item in a series of three or more.
Synonyms
Examples of latter in a Sentence
David A. Stockman, Newsweek, 28 Apr. 1986
… though her bibliography includes Hecht, Snyder, and Daiches, she omits the latter's first name …
—DeLancey Ferguson, Modern Language Notes, February 1957
the latter stages of the process
We'll go in the latter half of the year.
In his latter years he became blind.
Noel Murray, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
The age is now 67 for those born in 1960 or latter but some GOP proposals have suggested increasing the age for full retirement benefits from 67 to 69 over an eight-year period beginning in 2026.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 4 Oct. 2024
In 20th Century’s ‘Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice’
The deal was brokered by WME Independent and Fifth Season, latter of which was the studio on the film.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2024
In this latter group, a Listeria infection—also called listeriosis—can sometimes lead to miscarriages or stillbirth.2
In less serious cases, Listeria can cause intestinal illness, including vomiting and diarrhea.
—Julia Landwehr, Health, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for latter 
Articles Related to latter
Dictionary Entries Near latter
Cite this Entry
“Latter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latter. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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