recent

[ ree-suhnt ]

adjective

1. of late occurrence, appearance, or origin; lately happening, done, made, etc.:

   recent events; a recent trip.

   Synonyms: new, fresh

   Antonyms: old, early

2. not long past:

   in recent years.

3. of or belonging to a time not long past.
4. Recent. Geology. noting or pertaining to the present epoch, originating at the end of the glacial period, about 10,000 years ago, and forming the latter half of the Quaternary Period; Holocene.

noun

1. Recent. Geology. the Recent Epoch or Series. Also called Holocene.

recent

¹

/ ˈriːsənt /

adjective

1. having appeared, happened, or been made not long ago; modern, fresh, or new

Recent

²

/ ˈriːsənt /

adjective

1. geology another word for Holocene

Recent

/ rē′sənt /

1. See Holocene

Derived Forms

• ˈrecentness, noun
• ˈrecently, adverb

Other Words From

• re·cen·cy re·cent·ness noun
• re·cent·ly adverb
• qua·si-re·cent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of recent¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin recent- (stem of recēns ) “fresh, new”

Word History and Origins

Origin of recent¹

C16: from Latin recens fresh; related to Greek kainos new

Synonym Study

See modern.

Example Sentences

His most recent work, published in The Plant Cell, used advancements in genomic research to fill in gaps of the original soybean reference genome.

From Science Daily

The comic, who has made waves in the stand-up scene in recent years, announced Tuesday that he will take his material on the road with a new tour set to launch in 2025.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m friends with Chad because we’re both signed to the same management company,” Smith says over drinks during a recent visit to Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

In a recent article, we evaluated sugar's environmental impacts and explored avenues for reducing sugar in the diet to recommended levels either through reducing production or using the saved sugar in environmentally beneficial ways.

From Salon

In the same month, the Civil Service Commission - which regulates civil service appointments - said it would be launching a review "given interest in a number of recent civil service appointments by exception".

From BBC

Related Words

• late
• new