easy
We recently planted seeds in science class.
What does Recently mean?
Recently means not long ago.
Dictionary definition
A short time ago; not long before now.
Example sentences
Recently in a sentence
medium
The library recently added new books about space.
hard
The article explained what had recently changed in the community.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice recently in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Recently
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does recently mean?
Recently means not long ago.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to recently?
Lately is close to recently in this main meaning.
Practice 3
Choose the best word to complete the sentence: We ____ planted seeds in science class.
Recently best completes the sentence.
Practice complete
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You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Recently
Voice settings
Sounds like
ree · sunt · lee · strongest beat: ree
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordRecently.
Partadverb.
MeaningRecently means not long ago.
ExampleExample: We recently planted seeds in science class.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- ree · sunt · lee
- Strongest beat
- ree
- Ending
- lee
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on ree.
Your turn
Say Recently
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My attempt
Ready when you are.
Nice work—you practiced recently.
Synonyms
Words like Recently
latelyUse when this word fits the same meaning in context.
not long agoUse when this word fits the same meaning in context.
Antonyms
Opposite words
long agoUse as a meaningful contrast in this word's main sense.
formerlyUse as a meaningful contrast in this word's main sense.
Synonym practice
Want to practice recently synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "Our class has lately been reading more poems," then compare close word choices. Practice recently synonyms.
Word family
Recently word family
Base word
recently
adjective
recent
Related adjective form of recently.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Recently
Hint for students
Recently means not long ago. It tells when something happened.
Common mix-up
Recently is not the same as soon. Recently points backward to something that already happened; soon points forward to something that will happen.
Try it in class or at home
Write one sentence that shows recently without using the word recently. Model sentence: We got our new puppy two days ago. Clue words: got, new puppy, two days ago Now try your own sentence. Ask: Does my sentence show something that happened a short time ago?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "We recently moved to a new classroom, so our boxes are still unpacked." Why does recently fit better than long ago?
Learning activities
Practice Recently and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice RECENTLY” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice RECENTLY
Sentence Builder
Write your own sentence with this word and revise with checklist feedback.
Write a sentence with RECENTLY
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Spell Hive
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Vocabulary Match
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Match meanings
Explore · Context
Context Clue Challenge
Use sentence clues to choose the word that fits the meaning.
Use context clues
Practice RECENTLY
Synonym Search
Compare meanings in a question that includes RECENTLY.
Practice RECENTLY
Explore · Scramble
Scrambled Bees
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