recent

Pluralrecents

1. 1
   not long agoadjective

   Having happened, begun, or become what it is only a short time ago.

   The recent merger reshaped the entire company within months.

   Several recent studies point to the same conclusion about sleep.

   UsageCompares with more and most: a more recent study, the most recent figures.

   Similarlatest, new, current

   Oppositeold, past

2. 2
   geologyadjective

   Having occurred a comparatively short time ago on a geological, paleontological, or astronomical scale, though possibly thousands or even millions of years in the past.

   Geologists described the lava flow as recent, though it dates back several thousand years.

   The crater is recent in astronomical terms, having formed only a few million years ago.

   Similaryoung

   Oppositeancient, old

   Note

   Scientists stretch the word to fit their clocks. In geology, paleontology and astronomy, recent is measured against the age of rocks or stars, so a recent event may lie thousands or millions of years back. Writers often flag the scale outright, as in Evan Gough's 2020 phrasing "more recent times, in astronomical terms." Without such a cue, readers will hear the everyday meaning instead. Source

   Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

   • In geology, paleontology and astronomy, recent can describe events thousands or millions of years ago. en.wiktionary.org
   • Evan Gough used the exact phrase "more recent times, in astronomical terms" in 2020. universetoday.com
3. 3
   last openednouncountable

   An item that was viewed or accessed a short time ago, kept in a list for quick re-access.

   The app keeps every document you open in its recents until you clear the list.

   If you can't find the spreadsheet you were editing yesterday, check your recents in the app's side menu.

   UsageUsually plural, your recents, and often capitalized on screen as Recents.

   Note

   A computing noun made from the adjective, most at home in the plural: recents, the running list an interface keeps of files and apps opened lately. On screen it often appears capitalized as a label, as in Jason R. Rich's Your iPad 2 at Work: "your Recents list is empty." Source

   Checked 3 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

   • Jason R. Rich wrote Your iPad 2 at Work. ptgmedia.pearsoncmg.com
   • The book contains the exact words “your Recents list is empty.” en.wiktionary.org

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