lately
[adverb]
Synonyms: recently, in recent times, just now, latterly, not long ago, of late

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English Thesaurus: recently, lately, just, a short/little while ago, the other day, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

late‧ly /ˈleɪtli/ adverb
recently:
What have you been doing lately?
Lately, I’ve had trouble sleeping.
GRAMMAR
Lately is usually used with perfect tenses, not with the simple past tense:
I’ve been very busy lately (NOT I was very busy lately).

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

lately
adverb
1.
BAD: Lately someone told me that the fire was caused by a cigarette.
GOOD: Recently someone told me that the fire was caused by a cigarette.

Usage Note:
Both lately and recently refer to a period of time that begins in the past and continues until now (the moment of speaking): 'Just lately/recently I have been wondering whether to look for a new job.'
Recently is also used to refer to a point in time: 'Just recently she applied for a new job.'

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2.
BAD: One of the best films that I saw lately is 'Hook'.
GOOD: One of the best films that I've seen lately is 'Hook'.
BAD: Lately I play a lot of Miles Davis tapes.
GOOD: Lately I've been playing a lot of Miles Davis tapes.
BAD: We have a lot of rain lately.
GOOD: We've had a lot of rain lately.

Usage Note:
Lately is usually used with the present perfect tense: 'I haven't seen much of your sister lately. Has she gone away?'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

recently not long ago, especially a few days, weeks, or months ago:
The President has recently returned from a tour of South America.
A new species of plant was recently discovered in Brazil.
lately especially spoken during the recent past, especially during the weeks or days closest to now:
I’ve been really busy lately so I haven’t been out much.
There hasn’t been much in the news lately.
just especially spoken a very short time ago, especially only a few minutes, hours, days, or weeks ago:
John’s just gone out.
They’ve just had a new baby.
a short/little while ago especially spoken not long ago – often used when you are not sure exactly when:
That house was sold a short while ago.
I looked in on her a little while ago and she was fast asleep.
the other day spoken recently, especially only a few days ago:
I met Lucy in town the other day.
You’ll never guess what happened to me the other day.
freshly made, prepared, done etc not long ago – used especially about food and drink. Also used about things that have just been painted, washed, or dug:
freshly baked bread
freshly squeezed orange juice
The boat had been freshly painted.
newly created, built, married etc not long ago:
the newly created position of Chief Designer
a newly married couple
their newly elected president

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

lately
ˈleɪtlɪ
See: johnny-come-lately

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲