lately

adverb

late·​ly ˈlāt-lē How to pronounce lately (audio)
Synonyms of latelynext
: of late : recently
has been friendlier lately

Synonyms of lately

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ford has been hot lately, winning five of the last seven races after only winning once in the first five months of the season. — Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 But what seemed over that time span to look like a quixotic effort has lately gained a new foothold in Democratic politics. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 But lately, the confluence of athletes and fashion makes business sense, too, with sports offering a wider playing field for brands. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026 Backlash to Flock has been strong lately, with several northern Kentucky cities cutting ties with the company. — Josh Wood, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lately

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lately was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing lately

Rhymes for lately

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Browse Nearby Words

Late Latin
lately
late-magmatic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lately. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lately

adverb
late·​ly ˈlāt-lē How to pronounce lately (audio)
: not long ago
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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