# lately

Pronunciation: say "LAYT-lee" /ˈleɪt.li/

## Adverb

1. In the recent past; not long ago.
   - Simple: In the time that just passed, not long ago.
   - _Prices at the local market have climbed steadily lately._
   - _I haven't seen much of our old neighbors lately._
2. At a former time; previously, in reference to a person's earlier role, residence, or status.
   - Simple: At an earlier time, before now.
   - _He was lately the manager of the firm, though he has since retired._
   - _The estate passed to a gentleman lately of this parish._
3. In a delayed manner; after the relevant moment has already passed. *(slang)*
   - Simple: In a way that happens too late, after something is already done.
   - _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._

## 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").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/lately (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).