Just now Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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just now

[ˈdʒʌst naʊ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

time

A very short time ago; in the immediate past.

Synonyms

freshly, lately, recently, recently.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
just now

Like the first entry, 'just now' refers to something that occurred moments ago. It can be a repetition or re-emphasis in casual speech.

  • She called me just now.
  • He arrived just now.
recently

This is used to refer to something that happened in the near past, generally not as immediate as 'just now'.

  • I recently moved to a new apartment.
  • Has your opinion changed recently?
lately

This is used to talk about recent events, experiences, or trends, often over a slightly longer, but not distant, past.

  • I haven't seen her lately.
  • Lately, I've been feeling very tired.
freshly

This is typically used to describe something that has been made or done recently, often with a sense of being new, clean, or 'fresh'.

  • The bread was freshly baked.
  • The garden was freshly watered.

Examples of usage

  • I saw him just now.
  • She left just now.
  • They arrived just now.
  • We finished just now.
  • He called just now.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'just now'

The phrase 'just now' originated from Middle English, where 'just' meant 'exactly' or 'precisely', and 'now' referred to the present moment. Over time, the phrase evolved to mean 'a very short time ago', as it is commonly used today. It is widely used in spoken English to indicate a recent event or action.