recent

adjective

re·​cent ˈrē-sᵊnt 

1

a

: having lately come into existence : new, fresh

b

: of or relating to a time not long past

2

Recent : holocene

recentness noun

Examples of recent in a Sentence

Recent events have brought attention to the problem.

I usually watch that show every week, but I missed the most recent episode.

Medical science has made amazing progress in recent decades.

That was the biggest earthquake in recent history.

Recent Examples on the Web

Scotland may have underwhelmed at the recent World Cup, being eliminated in the group phase, but McTominay was the nation’s poster boy in the weeks leading up to the tournament. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

And, in recent years, a new culinary wave has emerged, as chefs create bold fusion dishes or, more subtly, adapt Japanese recipes to uniquely Brazilian produce, from Amazon river fish to jambu, a tongue-tingling herb. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026

Meanwhile, France’s economy has been mired in low economic growth in recent years, while the AI boom is turbocharging America’s GDP. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026

Scream 7, the franchise’s most recent installment, is its highest-grossing entry, while an eighth movie is currently in development. — Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin recent-, recens; perhaps akin to Greek kainos new

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing recent

• of recent origin

Rhymes for recent

• decent
• puissant
• indecent

Kids Definition

recent

adjective

re·​cent ˈrēs-ᵊnt 

1

a

: of or relating to a time not long past

recent history

b

: having lately appeared or come into existence : new, fresh

recent events

2

capitalized : holocene

recently adverb

recentness noun