newly
NYOO-lee
Newly (adv) means Very recently; not long ago. Example: “The newly painted fence still smelled of fresh paint.”
adv
1
Very recently; not long ago.
"She smelled the newly budding flowers."
"One saint's day in mid-term a certain newly appointed suffragan-bishop came to the school chapel, and there preached on “The Inner Life.”"
— William Babington Maxwell (1918)
"The newly painted fence still smelled of fresh paint."
"She introduced us to her newly hired assistant."
"The newly arrived students were shown around the campus by volunteers."
How to use newly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed before a past-tense verb to mean "recently" — newly built, newly arrived, newly married.
Common pairings
newly married
newly appointed
newly discovered
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more newly
- Superlative
- most newly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ painted fence still smelled of fresh paint.
Etymology
From Old English nīewlīċe, built from "new" plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “newly” mean?
The word “newly” means very recently; not long ago. In plain terms, used before a past-tense verb to mean "recently" — newly built, newly arrived, newly married.
How do you pronounce “newly”?
“Newly” is pronounced NYOO-lee (/ˈn(j)uli/ in IPA).
How do you use “newly” in a sentence?
Here is “newly” used in a sentence: “The newly painted fence still smelled of fresh paint.”
What part of speech is “newly”?
“Newly” is an adverb.
Where does the word “newly” come from?
The word “newly” comes from Old English. From Old English nīewlīċe, built from "new" plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly.".
Is “newly” a common word?
“Newly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between newly and recently?
Both point to something that happened a short time ago, and they often overlap. Newly is usually paired with an adjective or past participle to describe a fresh state, as in newly married or newly painted. Recently more often modifies a verb and simply marks the timing, as in we recently moved.
What words usually follow newly?
Newly most naturally sits before a past participle or adjective describing a fresh state, such as newly built, newly appointed, newly opened, or newly discovered. It emphasises that the condition has just come about. Unlike recently, it is rarely used alone at the end of a sentence.
What is an example of newly in a sentence?
You might say, the newly elected mayor gave her first speech, or they moved into a newly built home. In both cases newly stresses that the state is fresh and has only just taken effect. It adds a sense of change that has happened very recently.
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