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

Fried had been working behind the scenes in recent days to facilitate a dialogue between Black political leaders in Florida and Wasserman Schultz’s campaign, but those efforts fell apart after the congresswoman’s campaign refused their invitation, according to the party. —Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026

His most recent game was on May 2 against the Houston Dynamo. —Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 11 June 2026

Even with all those extra teams – there’s 48 in this year’s tournament, up 16 from recent editions – there will still be the surprises and upsets that make every World Cup special. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 11 June 2026

The excitement for new developments in the Dominican Republic was palpable at the recent Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism gala hosted in Miami in April. —Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 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