Lately
/ˈleɪt.li/noun
In the recent past or during the period immediately before now.
Did you know?“Lately” is simply the adverbial form of “late,” and its history runs through Old English and Proto-Germanic, not a hidden occult source—its eerie vibe comes from the feeling of something arriving after its proper moment.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*latō
“slow, sluggish, late”
Old English
OE
læt
“late, sluggish, slow”
Old English
OE
lætlice
“slowly, tardily”
Middle English
ME
lately
“late, tardily; in recent times”
Modern English
English
lately
“in the recent past”