recent — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Having happened a short while ago.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents.

2. Up-to-date; not old-fashioned or dated.

   Synonyms

   nouveau

3. Having done something a short while ago that distinguishes them as what they are called.

   Examples

   The cause has several hundred recent donors.

   I met three recent graduates at the conference.

4. Particularly in geology, palaeontology, and astronomy: having occurred a relatively short time ago, but still potentially thousands or even millions of years ago.

   Examples

   Finding it now means it was produced in more recent times, in astronomical terms.

Noun

1. A recently viewed or accessed item.

   Examples

   Obviously, the first time you launch this app, your Recents list is empty.

Adjective

1. new

   Examples

   recent graduates

   a recent addition to the house

   More examples (1)

   recent buds on the apple trees

2. of the immediate past or just previous to the present time

   Synonyms

   late

   Examples

   a late development

   their late quarrel

   More examples (3)

   his recent trip to Africa

   in recent months

   a recent issue of the journal