Word
lately
Phoneticslate·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫeɪtɫi/
UK/lˈeɪtli/
Adverb of time
Definitions
01recently
B1 · Intermediate
adv. in the recent past, or many times in the last few weeks or months.
adv. referring to the recent past or a duration starting in the recent past and continuing to the present.
日本語:最近※
“I haven't seen much of Sarah lately because she is so busy at work.”
“Lately, there has been a significant shift in public opinion regarding the proposed environmental regulations, as evidenced by recent polling data.”
Usage
Commonly used with the present perfect tense to describe a state or a repeated action.
Pitfall
I 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'.
Antonyms
02formerly
C2 · Proficiency Archaic
adv. in the past, but not anymore.
adv. referring to a previous time or a former state; now largely replaced by 'formerly' or 'previously'.
“The building, lately a warehouse, was converted into luxury apartments.”
“The estate, lately the property of the Crown, was deeded to the local council for the creation of a public park.”
Usage
Found almost exclusively in historical texts or legal documents.
Synonyms
Confusables
Late describes something happening after the expected time, while lately describes something that has happened recently.
RememberLate is about the clock; lately is about the calendar.
Real-World Examples
“I’ve been diving deep into true crime lately.” “Restaurant owner Kosol Homkhunthod said the American sailors had "created a buzz" in town and among his staff - business had been "really slow" lately.” “The discussion about diarrhea has increased lately, especially with the rise of cyclosporiasis.” Etymology
From Middle English lately, latly, equivalent to late + -ly. Compare Old English lætlīċe (“slowly, tardily”), Middle Low German lātlîk (“careless, slack, sloppy”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/lately
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0