late bloomer

noun

US
: someone who becomes successful, attractive, etc., at a later time in life than other people
She was a late bloomer as a writer.

Examples of late bloomer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lopes was a late bloomer in terms of debut age, playing his first game for the Dodgers at 27 in 1972. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026 The Yellow Jacket Lackey is the archetypal late bloomer. Teddy Cahill, New York Times, 29 May 2026 If the object accumulates more mass, the gas within the cloud will collapse and fragment, leading to the formation of stars — which would transform Cloud-9 into a late bloomer galaxy. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026 The former South Carolina standout was a late bloomer in college, so the Panthers are hoping history repeats itself and Legette becomes a threat in his third season. Mike Kaye june 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for late bloomer

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Late bloomer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/late%20bloomer. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster