lately

adverb

late·​ly ˈlāt-lē 

: of late : recently

has been friendlier lately

Synonyms of lately

• recently
• late
• newly
• now
• just

Examples of lately in a Sentence

He has been feeling better lately.

Lately, she has been worrying about her son.

Recent Examples on the Web

Netflix isn’t the only streamer trying to capitalize on the popularity of the neo-Western genre that’s been so en vogue lately (the trend feels very similar to all the fantasy shows that popped up after Game of Thrones). — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

And the Giants haven’t done much lately other than get in their own way. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026

And lately, consumers have been focused more on soaring energy prices than tariffs. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Anyone who has spent time on a college campus lately has probably heard laments from faculty about their students’ reading habits, or rather nonreading habits. — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 23 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lately

• Johnny-come-lately

Rhymes for lately

• innately
• ornately
• pinnately
• sedately
• greatly
• stately
• precipitately

Kids Definition

lately

adverb

late·​ly ˈlāt-lē 

: not long ago