late-blooming
UK[ˌleɪt ˈbluːmɪŋ]US[ˌleɪt ˈblumɪŋ]
adj
Developing talents, skills, or success later than is usual or expected.
adj
(Of a plant) producing flowers relatively late in the growing season.
Morpheme Breakdown
late
blooming
late
after the expected time
blooming
flowering/developing
Etymology
The compound adjective 'late-blooming' is a relatively modern metaphorical extension from horticulture into human development. Its first element, 'late', carries its ancient Germanic sense of tardiness or delay. The second element, 'blooming', draws on the Old Norse concept of a flower reaching its peak. When combined, the literal botanical meaning—a plant that flowers late in the season—provides a vivid and logical metaphor for a person whose abilities or achievements come to fruition significantly after the typical or anticipated period. This etymological journey from describing delayed floral growth to describing delayed personal or professional maturation perfectly encapsulates the word's conceptual logic.
Analysis
Structure: late (after the expected time) + blooming (flowering/developing)
- late: From Old English læt (slow, tardy), of Germanic origin. Functions as an adjective/adverb meaning 'after the expected, usual, or proper time'.
- blooming: From the verb bloom, of Germanic origin (related to Old Norse blóm), plus the present participle suffix -ing. Functions as a participial adjective meaning 'flowering' or, figuratively, 'flourishing and developing'.
Examples
She was a late-blooming artist who didn't receive critical acclaim until her fifties.
The late-blooming varieties of roses extend the color in the garden into early autumn.
His late-blooming academic career is an inspiration to those who change paths later in life.