contemporary
kun-TEM-puh-rer-ee
/kənˈtɛmpərəri/
Living or occurring at the same time; or belonging to or occurring in the present.
As a noun, it refers to a person living at the same time as another.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'contemporarius', combining 'com-' (together) and 'tempus' (time). It literally means 'with the time'.
Word relationships
- modern: Modern refers to the current style; contemporary refers to the current time.
- coexistent: A more technical term for things existing at the same time.
- ancient: Belonging to the very distant past.
- preceding: Coming before in time.
Commonly confused with
- modern: Modern can refer to a specific style (like 1920s modernism); contemporary always moves with the 'now'.
Word family
- contemporaneous (adjective): Existing or occurring in the same period of time (more formal).
Collocations
- contemporary issues
- contemporary music
- contemporary society
Example sentences
- "The museum's collection of contemporary art includes works by living artists from around the world." Modern art.
- "Although they never met, Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon Bonaparte were contemporaries." Historical comparison.
Memory hook
CON (with) + TEMP (time). Being 'with the time'. Sharing the same clock.
When not to use
Be careful: 'contemporary' doesn't always mean 'now'. It means 'at the same time as the subject'. Shakespeare's contemporaries were people living in the 1600s.
Fun facts
- In the world of dance, 'Contemporary' is a specific genre that developed in the mid-20th century.
Related words
Explore more words
concurrent, simultaneous, Synchronous, concurrence, temporal, concur
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