contemporary
word
/kənˈtɛmpɝˌɛɹi/
/kəntˈɛmpəɹəɹi/
Definition
Describes something or someone living or happening at the same time as another, or something modern and relating to the present.
Usage & Nuances
Formal or neutral. Common as 'contemporary art', 'contemporary music', meaning modern styles. Can describe people ('Shakespeare's contemporaries') or things. Avoid confusing with 'temporary' (short-lived). Used for comparison with other eras or people.
Spanish: contemporáneo - actual (moderno)Portuguese (BR): contemporâneo - atual (moderno)Portuguese (PT): contemporâneo - atual (moderno)Chinese (Simplified): 当代的 - 现代的Chinese (Traditional): 當代的 - 現代的Hindi: समकालीन - आधुनिकArabic: معاصر - حديثBengali: সমকালীন - আধুনিকRussian: современный - современник (о человеке)Japanese: 現代的 - 同時代のVietnamese: đương đại - hiện đạiKorean: 동시대의 - 현대의Turkish: çağdaş - modernUrdu: معاصر - ہم عصرIndonesian: kontemporer - modern - sezaman
Example Sentences
That artist’s works feel very contemporary, even though she started decades ago.
natural
The museum has a contemporary art exhibit.
basic
She prefers contemporary music over classical.
basic
Einstein was a contemporary of Picasso.
basic
Many contemporary buildings use glass and steel designs.
natural
He enjoys reading both classic and contemporary novels.
natural