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

In a photo featured in a recent Instagram post, the actress kept things classic in a black mock-neck top and breezy wide-leg jeans — a low-effort outfit that’s easy to recreate. —Taylor Jean Stephan, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026

That season also saw Toronto's most recent playoff appearance, a six-game defeat to Philadelphia in the first round. —CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026

Garrison had two adult sons and three grandchildren, but also a baby girl from a more recent relationship. —Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026

In one of her recent podcast episodes, McMahan detailed a trip to Paris and her subsequent journey home with 12 (yes, 12) sticks of butter nestled in the depths of her suitcase. —Elliott Harrell, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Apr. 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