Late-Lately | Commonly Confused Words

Late

/leɪt/

Arriving or occurring after the expected or usual time.

It's not too late.What he pinned his faith to was his later work.Give me Father is latest risky investments.

/ˈleɪtli/

Refers to something that has happened recently or in the near past

'Then you have not been to sea lately?' 'No.Some of his excuses for absence lately had been pretty weak.Has he lost his vim lately, or what is it?'

This word has no antonyms

Late often refers to something occurring after the expected or usual time, whereas lately refers to something happening in the recent past.
If you're describing the timing of an event or the lateness of something, late is appropriate.
Lately is used when talking about recent actions or events that are still relevant now.
Think of late as past the time, and lately as recently.
Use late when talking about punctuality, and lately when talking about occurrences or trends.