lately

adverbcommon in dialogue

//ˈleɪt.li//

Recently; not long ago; of late; not long since.

adverb

1
Recently; not long ago; of late; not long since.
I'd lately returned from Japan.
It's only lately that I've been well enough to get out of bed.
Ant. […]I am content : ſo he will let me haue / The other halfe in vſe, to render it / Vpon his death, vnto the Gentleman / That lately ſtole his daughter. / Two things prouided more,[…]
2
slangIn 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.
3
Formerly.
David George Philip Cholmondeley, The Marquess of CHOLMONDELEY, K.C.V.O., lately Lord Great Chamberlain, Royal Household.
The ¼th of the manor of Dunterdon is held of the king by knight's service as of his honour of Okehampton, now in the king's hands by reason of the atteinture of Henry lately Marquis of Exeter for high treason, and is worth 55s 6d yearly.

Etymology

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

Forms

comparative: latelier, more lately
superlative: lateliest, most lately

latch · To close or lock as if with a latch.late · Near the end of a period of time.late-night · Of, or related to the late night time.

lately · Recently; not long ago; of late; not long since.

later · Afterward in time (used with than when comparing with another…lateral · To the side; of or pertaining to the side. Situated on one…latest · Most recent.

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