English Reference
Word adverb

recently

adv.
US /ˈɹisənɫi/ UK /ɹˈiːsəntli/ re·cent·ly
Definition
  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    not long ago; in the time just before now.

    at a time in the near past; within a short period preceding the present moment.

    Simple

    “I recently started a new job and I am still learning everyone's names.”

    In context

    “The company has recently implemented a new remote-work policy to address the growing demand for flexibility among its senior staff.”

    Usage

    Often used with the present perfect tense to describe an action with a result in the present.

    Pitfall
    I have seen him recently two days ago. I saw him two days ago.

    Do not use 'recently' with a specific time expression like 'two days ago'. Use it for general near-past time frames.

    Synonyms
    latelyof latefreshly
    Antonyms
    long agoformerly

Usage recently develop · recently discuss · recently emerge

Etymology

From recent + -ly.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Very common
Updated