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Added 9 October 2026

lately

/ˈleɪt.li/ adverb

adverb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about lately at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Recently; not long ago; of late; not long since.
I'd lately returned from Japan.
In a late manner; after-the-fact.
Don't try to come lately and change your answer now after you've heard everyone else's response.
↑ Douglas Harper (2001–2026), “lately”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.

Origin

From Middle English lately, latly, equivalent to late + -ly. Compare Old English lætlīċe (“slowly, tardily”), Middle Low German lātlîk (“careless, slack, sloppy”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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