Recent
/ˈriːsənt/
Definitions
Having happened, begun, or been done not long ago; belonging to a time not long past.
/ˈriːsənt/
Happening or starting not long ago
The recent changes in policy have caused concern.
💡 Simply: Imagine you just got a new toy. Recent means it's new and you got it not too long ago! Just like when something is new, like a recent movie that just came out.
👶 For kids: Something that happened a little while ago is recent. Like, 'Did you just eat a recent snack?'
More Examples
Have you seen any recent movies?
We received some recent updates about the project.
How It's Used
"The recent election results have caused significant political shifts."
"I've been reading a lot of recent articles on climate change."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
in recent times
During the last while; lately.
"In recent times, there has been a great deal of change in the workplace."
of recent origin
Having developed or started not long ago.
"The custom is of recent origin."
From Latin recens ('new, fresh'), related to re- ('again') and -cens (a suffix indicating present participle or characteristic). It entered English in the late 14th century.
Used consistently since its entry into English in the late 14th century, frequently in legal and historical contexts to denote current or new events.
Memory tip
Think of the 'cent' in recent as a reference to a current or new period.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: recens