recent
REE-suhnt
Recent (adj) means having happened not long ago. Example: “In recent weeks, the weather has been much milder than usual.”
adj
1
Having happened not long ago.
"In recent weeks, the weather has been much milder than usual."
"Have you read any recent news about the merger?"
"A recent study found surprising results about sleep patterns."
2
Current or up to date rather than old-fashioned.
"Make sure you install the most recent version of the software."
"The shop sells only recent models, so the designs look modern."
"She prefers a more recent edition of the textbook."
How to use recent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot long ago, or up to date.
Common pairings
recent events
a recent study
in recent years
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like recent.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- recents
- Comparative
- more recent
- Superlative
- most recent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In _____ weeks, the weather has been much milder than usual.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin recens ("fresh, new").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for recent
See all rhymes for 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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include recent:
