lately
adv.-
1 recently (adv.) B1 Intermediatein the recent past, or many times in the last few weeks or months.
referring to the recent past or a duration starting in the recent past and continuing to the present.
ExampleI haven't seen much of Sarah lately because she is so busy at work.
ExampleLately, there has been a significant shift in public opinion regarding the proposed environmental regulations, as evidenced by recent polling data.
UsageCommonly used with the present perfect tense to describe a state or a repeated action.
- formerly
- long ago
PitfallI lately went to the cinema.I went to the cinema recently.Use 'lately' for repeated actions or states (present perfect). For a single finished action in the past, use 'recently'.
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2 formerly (adv.) C2 Proficiency Archaicin the past, but not anymore.
referring to a previous time or a former state; now largely replaced by 'formerly' or 'previously'.
ExampleThe building, lately a warehouse, was converted into luxury apartments.
ExampleThe estate, lately the property of the Crown, was deeded to the local council for the creation of a public park.
UsageFound almost exclusively in historical texts or legal documents.
From Middle English lately, latly, equivalent to late + -ly. Compare Old English lætlīċe (“slowly, tardily”), Middle Low German lātlîk (“careless, slack, sloppy”).