recent
7 synonyms and 6 antonyms for recent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Having happened not long ago.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
up-to-date
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Having happened not long ago.
“In recent weeks, the weather has been much milder than usual.”
Opposites
How to use recent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
recent events
a recent study
in recent years
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin recens ("fresh, new").
Full origin of recent →Frequently asked questions
What does “recent” mean?
The word “recent” means having happened not long ago. In plain terms, not long ago, or up to date.
How do you pronounce “recent”?
“Recent” is pronounced REE-suhnt (/ˈɹi.sənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “recent” in a sentence?
Here is “recent” used in a sentence: “Have you read any recent news about the merger?”
What part of speech is “recent”?
“Recent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “recent” come from?
The word “recent” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin recens ("fresh, new").
Is “recent” a common word?
“Recent” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “recent” have?
“Recent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having happened not long ago.
What is the difference between recent and current?
'Recent' describes something that happened a short time ago but is now finished, like a recent trip. 'Current' describes something happening right now and still going on, like the current situation. The key difference is timing: recent points to the near past, current to the present moment.
What is the opposite of recent?
The natural opposites are words that place something far back in time, such as old, former, past, or long-ago. 'Ancient' or 'distant' work when the gap is very large. Which fits best depends on context, but all contrast with the idea of having happened only a short while ago.
How recent is 'recent'?
It is deliberately relative and has no fixed limit. In the news, recent might mean the past few days; in geology, it can span thousands of years. The word simply signals that something happened a short time ago relative to the subject being discussed, so context sets the timescale.
