Lately
/ˈleɪtli/
Definitions
In the recent past; not long ago.
/ˈleɪtli/
During the recent past
Have you been feeling well lately?
💡 Simply: It's like saying 'recently' or 'not too long ago.' For example, 'I've been eating a lot of ice cream lately' means you've been eating a lot of ice cream in the past few days or weeks.
👶 For kids: It means something happened not too long ago, like yesterday or last week.
More Examples
The weather has been unusually warm lately.
She's been working hard lately.
I haven't read any good books lately.
How It's Used
"I haven't seen her lately."
"The company has been under scrutiny lately."
From Middle English *lateliche*, equivalent to 'late' + '-ly'. Originally meant 'recently' or 'not long ago' and evolved from comparative form of 'late'.
Used in literature from the 14th century onward, often to describe events happening a short time before.
Memory tip
Think of a recent event that 'late-ly' occurred.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: late