ENGLISH
REFERENCE

freshly

adv.
US //ˈfɹɛʃɫi// UK //fɹˈɛʃli// fresh·ly
  1. 1 recently or newly (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    very recently or just a short time ago.

    occurring or performed very recently. Often used as a modifier before a past participle to form a compound adjective.

    Example

    The smell of freshly baked bread filled the entire house.

    Example

    The scent of freshly mown grass drifted through the open window, signaling the start of the summer maintenance schedule.

    Usage

    Commonly precedes a past participle, such as 'freshly painted' or 'freshly squeezed'.
  2. 2 rudely (adv.)
    C2 Proficiency Informal American English

    in a way that is rude or shows a lack of respect.

    behaving in an impertinent, cheeky, or disrespectful manner.

    Example

    The child spoke freshly to his teacher and was sent to the office.

    Example

    He was reprimanded for acting freshly with the supervisor during the morning briefing.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is much less common than the 'recently' sense and is primarily found in older American English contexts.
Origin

From Middle English freschely, freschliche (also as ferscheli, fersly, ferselich), equivalent to fresh + -ly.

Word family

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