adjective

recent

REE-suhnt/ˈriːsnt/

Having happened, begun, or existed not long ago.

The chick's damp down reveals how recent its hatching is.

A newly hatched chick beside its broken egg, its down still damp and clumped: visible physical traces show that hatching happened only a short time ago.

Etymology

Latin recens connected newness with freshness. English likewise used recent for freshly made things, including food, before broadening it to describe anything belonging to the time just before the present.

In context

Democracy At Work7:01

the elections that are happening across America, both the ones in the recent months and the ones coming up, particularly the midterms early in November.

Economic Update: Economic Hardship Reporting Project

More examples

Please bring a recent photo to your appointment.
In recent years, more families have moved downtown.
This report includes more recent figures than the previous version.
Her most recent book explores life in small towns.

Forms

recent · more recent · most recent

recently adverb — At a time not long ago.

recency noun — The quality of having occurred recently.

Similar words

new: Emphasizes first appearance or use, rather than simply timing.
latest: Identifies the most recent item in a sequence.
fresh: Often emphasizes remaining unchanged or unspoiled since something happened.