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

All of this means rebuilding these two communities may prove far more financially and morally complex than after previous fires, where recent laws did not apply. —Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025

Among his recent books is Scotch Whisky: Its History, Production and Appreciation. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

And now there’s an endless stream of styles to choose from, thanks to their recent comeback. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 4 Mar. 2025

In recent years, the system has seen a resurgence, fueled by social media communities on TikTok, Reddit, and YouTube—alongside other style frameworks like Kitchener essences and seasonal color analysis. —Rachel Hills, Vogue, 4 Mar. 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