lately

American  

[leyt-lee] / ˈleɪt li /

adverb

1. of late; recently; not long since.

   He has been very grouchy lately.

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lately British  

/ ˈleɪtlɪ /

adverb

1. in recent times; of late

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Etymology

Origin of lately

before 1000; Middle English latli; Old English lætlīce; see late, -ly

Explanation

Something that happened lately occurred very recently. If you've spotted a fox every day for the last week, you might say, "I've seen so many foxes lately!" If your friend says, "I've been really stressed out lately," she means she's been overworked and tense for the past few days, weeks, or possibly months. Lately is an adverb that covers the immediate past, a period of time that wasn't too long ago. A more old-fashioned way to say lately is "of late." Though this word has had its current meaning since the fifteenth century, it originally meant "slow or sluggish."

Example Sentences

The Treasury market has been quiet lately, with 10-year debt barely straying from a yield of 4.3% in April.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

The latest words of caution from John Flood, head of Americas equities execution services at Goldman, point first to hedge funds — a big source of market appetite lately — heading to the sidelines.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

For her memoir, written, it seems, from the bed to which multiple sclerosis has lately confined her, Ms. Applegate draws on the diaries she’s been keeping since the age of 13.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

And as bleak as things may seem lately, we still do a lot more getting along than tearing at each others’ throats.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2026

She's been acting odd lately; even asked me this morning how was I feeling.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson