recently
11 synonyms and 4 antonyms for recently, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adv — A short time ago, or in the near past.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use recently
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From recent plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Full origin of recently →Frequently asked questions
What does “recently” mean?
The word “recently” means a short time ago, or in the near past. In plain terms, not long ago; lately.
How do you pronounce “recently”?
“Recently” is pronounced REE-suhnt-lee (/ˈɹi.sənt.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “recently” in a sentence?
Here is “recently” used in a sentence: “I recently moved to a new apartment.”
What is another word for “recently”?
Words with a similar meaning to “recently” include as of late, freshly, just now, just then, late and lately.
What is the opposite of “recently”?
The opposite of “recently” — its antonyms — are long ago, long since, oldly and soon.
What part of speech is “recently”?
“Recently” is an adverb.
Is “recently” a common word?
“Recently” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'recently' and 'lately'?
Both point to the near past, and they often overlap. 'Recently' usually marks a single, finished event — 'she recently moved.' 'Lately' tends to describe an ongoing situation or repeated pattern up to now — 'I've been tired lately.' 'Recently' suits completed actions, while 'lately' fits continuing ones.
What is the opposite of 'recently'?
There's no exact single opposite, but 'long ago,' 'formerly,' and 'in the distant past' express the reverse idea — something that happened far back in time rather than a short while ago. 'A long time ago' is the most natural everyday phrase people reach for.
What is an example of 'recently'?
'They recently opened a new branch downtown' places the opening a short time before now. It answers 'when?' with a vague but near timeframe: 'I saw him recently,' or 'Prices have risen recently.' It signals the event is fresh without giving an exact date.