recent

adjective

re·​cent ˈrē-sᵊnt 

1

a

: having lately come into existence : new, fresh

b

: of or relating to a time not long past

2

capitalized : holocene

recentness noun

Examples of recent in a Sentence

Recent events have brought attention to the problem.

I usually watch that show every week, but I missed the most recent episode.

Medical science has made amazing progress in recent decades.

That was the biggest earthquake in recent history.

Recent Examples on the Web

Beyond the strategy, Carlisle has improved tremendously as a player development coach in recent years. —Tony East, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

According to recent school nutrition data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, lunch costs an average of $2.99 for K-12 students. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2025

The 2025-26 U.S. News Best High Schools Rankings used the same methodology as the previous year, with more recent data. —Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2025

This is a film that extends beyond the traditional three acts, told with the same shaggy style that has defined a lot of Lee’s recent features (including the fantastic Da 5 Bloods and the Oscar-winning BlacKkKlansman). —David Sims, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin recent-, recens; perhaps akin to Greek kainos new

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing recent

• of recent origin

Rhymes for recent

• decent
• puissant
• indecent

Kids Definition

recent

adjective

re·​cent ˈrēs-ᵊnt 

1

a

: of or relating to a time not long past

recent history

b

: having lately appeared or come into existence : new, fresh

recent events

2

capitalized : holocene

recently adverb

recentness noun