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

Recent : 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

However, if recent debates are any indicators, this one could also become a showdown among the Democrat candidates calling out each other. —Paris Barraza, USA Today, 7 May 2026

The most recent playoff game with at least 25 lead changes came May 2, 2015, when the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers had 31. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 7 May 2026

Yes, a distinction between what is often everyday antisemitism and the recent spate of violent attacks. —Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 7 May 2026

In recent years the appetite for period dramas slowed a little bit. —K.j. Yossman, Variety, 7 May 2026

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