newly
Americanadverb
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recently; lately.
a newly married couple.
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anew or afresh.
a newly repeated slander.
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in a new manner or form.
a room newly decorated.
adverb
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recently; lately or just
a newly built shelf
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again; afresh; anew
newly raised hopes
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in a new manner; differently
a newly arranged room
Etymology
Origin of newly
before 900; Middle English; Old English nīwlice. See new, -ly
Explanation
When you describe something as newly happening, it just occurred. A newly hatched chick is barely out of it shell, and a newly arrived classmate just joined your class recently. If you just bought your enormous TV yesterday, you can call it newly acquired, and if your favorite movie finally came out on DVD this weekend, it's newly released. Doing something over again — or as if for the first time — can also be described this way, like when your newly single uncle goes on a blind date. Newly comes from new, with its Old English root neowe, "new, fresh, or recent."
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.
The newly created positions can handle press and public-relations responsibilities that previously belonged to executives with titles like vice president or head of communications.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
Menefee ultimately defeated Green to represent the newly drawn 18th Congressional District that encompasses parts of both of their current Houston-area districts.
From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026
It is widely expected that Kim will seek more trade over the land border and more Chinese tourists to fill its newly built beach and ski resorts.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
One of the most significant aspects of the newly discovered nodal lines is that they are inherently spin-polarized.
From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026
“It’s understandable. Your newly upgraded brain is learning to flex its muscles.”
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
