lately
LAYT-lee
Lately (adv) means Recently; in the period up to now. Example: “Have you seen him lately?”
adv
1
Recently; in the period up to now.
"Have you seen him lately?"
"Business has been slow lately."
"I have been feeling rather tired lately, so I am going to bed early."
How to use lately
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA way of saying "in recent times" or "not long ago".
Common mistake
"Lately" usually pairs with present perfect tense ("I haven't seen him lately"), not simple past.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
as of lately
until lately
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Word forms
- Comparative
- latelier, more lately
- Superlative
- lateliest, most lately
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Have you seen him _____?
Etymology
From late plus -ly.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for lately
See all rhymes for lately →Frequently asked questions
What does “lately” mean?
The word “lately” means recently; in the period up to now. In plain terms, a way of saying "in recent times" or "not long ago".
How do you pronounce “lately”?
“Lately” is pronounced LAYT-lee (/ˈleɪt.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “lately” in a sentence?
Here is “lately” used in a sentence: “Have you seen him lately?”
What is another word for “lately”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lately” include freshly.
What part of speech is “lately”?
“Lately” is an adverb.
Is “lately” a common word?
“Lately” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between lately and recently?
Both point to the near past, but lately usually describes an ongoing stretch of time up to now, often paired with a continuing situation, as in 'I've been tired lately.' Recently can mark a single past moment, as in 'I saw her recently.' Lately fits patterns and habits; recently fits isolated events.
What is an example of lately in a sentence?
Lately typically appears with the present perfect tense to describe recent, continuing conditions. For example: 'She's been working late lately,' or 'Lately, I've noticed the mornings getting colder.' It can also stand at the start or end of a clause, signalling that something has changed or been true across the recent period leading up to the present.
Is lately formal or informal?
Lately is neutral and works comfortably in both everyday conversation and most writing. It is slightly more casual than phrases like 'in recent times' or 'of late,' which suit formal prose. For ordinary speech, letters, and general writing, lately is a natural, unremarkable choice that no one would consider slang.
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