Synonyms

lately

American

[leyt-lee] / ˈleɪt li /

adverb

of late; recently; not long since.

He has been very grouchy lately.

lately British

/ ˈleɪtlɪ /

adverb

in recent times; of late

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of lately

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There has been scant good news for California racing lately.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

He will turn 80 in June, and lately he has been admitting that he knows he can’t run for president again.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

Plains states have the potential to tap vast quantities of wind and solar power, which have lately become cheaper than fossil fuels on a per-kilowatt-hour basis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

I’ve been noticing how expensive live entertainment has become lately, and it’s made me reconsider how much I’m spending on experiences.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

The only totally truthful thing I’d said lately was when I’d told Markie his folks were splitting up.

From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023