Contemporary Meaning in English

word

US

/kənˈtɛmpɝˌɛɹi/

kuhn-TEM-pur-air-ee

UK

/kəntˈɛmpəɹəɹi/

kuhn-TEM-puh-ruh-ree

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 - आधुनिक
• Arabic: معاصر - حديث
• Bengali: সমকালীন - আধুনিক
• Russian: современный - современник (о человеке)
• Japanese: 現代的 - 同時代の
• Vietnamese: đương đại - hiện đại
• Korean: 동시대의 - 현대의
• Turkish: çağdaş - modern
• Urdu: معاصر - ہم عصر
• Indonesian: kontemporer - modern - sezaman

Example Sentences

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

That artist’s works feel very contemporary, even though she started decades ago.

natural

He enjoys reading both classic and contemporary novels.

natural