lately
- 1In the recent past; not long ago.
Prices at the local market have climbed steadily lately.
I haven't seen much of our old neighbors lately.
Note
Built in Middle English from late plus -ly. A related Old English word, lætlīċe, meant 'slowly, tardily', so this sense turns the word from tardiness to time just past. It sits comfortably with a perfect tense: I'd lately returned, only lately have I been well. Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice pairs it with a simple past instead: the Gentleman / That lately stole his daughter.
- 2At a former time; previously, in reference to a person's earlier role, residence, or status.
He was lately the manager of the firm, though he has since retired.
The estate passed to a gentleman lately of this parish.
Similarformerly, previously, once
Note
An official formula for a title someone has held and no longer holds, and it has barely changed in five centuries. The 1545 inquisition post mortem of John Arundell's lands names Henry lately Marquis of Exeter. The London Gazette of 2023 lists the Marquess of Cholmondeley as lately Lord Great Chamberlain. The adverb goes directly before the former office or rank, with no verb needed.
- 3In a delayed manner; after the relevant moment has already passed.
You can't come lately to the argument and act like you saw the problem first.
He weighs in lately, once the fight's settled, and then claims he called it all along.
Similarbelatedly
Note
Slang that reads the word at face value: done late, not done recently. It sits most naturally right after come, for someone who joins an argument or a decision once it is settled and still wants a say. Because the "recently" meaning is what most listeners will hear, keep it straight after the verb. Let the rest of the sentence make the lateness plain, and save it for casual talk.
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English lately (also latly), equivalent to late plus the suffix -ly. Compare Old English lætlīċe ("slowly, tardily") and Middle Low German lātlîk ("careless, slack, sloppy").