NYT Dictionary

LATELY

/ˈleɪt.li/
AdverbLATE-lylate-ly · 2 syllablesGrade 6

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025

Meaning

Recently; not long ago; of late; not long since.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English lately, latly, equivalent to late + -ly. Compare Old English lætlīċe (“slowly, tardily”), Middle Low German lātlîk (“careless, slack, sloppy”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

freshlyrecentlylatelatterlyafreshanewjustnewnewlynow

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle:

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