Modern

ˈmɒdərn

adjectiveBeginner🔥Very CommonTime
1 meaning2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

1

Relating to the present or recent times; up-to-date.

ˈmɒdərn

adjectiveneutralBeginner
Time

Relating to the present or recent times.

She prefers modern music to classical.

💡 Simply: Modern means something is new and from today, or from a time not too long ago. Like, you might have a modern phone that can do lots of cool stuff. If something is modern, it's not old or from way back!

👶 For kids: Something modern is new and from now.

More Examples

2

The house has a modern design.

3

We live in a modern world filled with technology.

How It's Used

General Usage

"Modern technology has changed the way we live."

Art and Design

"The museum features a collection of modern art."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

Modern Age

The period from approximately the 15th century to the present day.

"The Modern Age brought about significant changes in science, art, and philosophy."

Modern times

The present or recent period.

"In modern times, technology has rapidly advanced."

From Late Latin *modernus*, from Latin *modo* ('just now').

The term 'modern' gained prominence during the Renaissance to distinguish the era from the preceding Medieval period. It signified a break from the past and the embrace of new ideas and discoveries.

Memory tip

Think of a time machine. Modern things are happening right now!

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"Just now, recently"

modern artmodern technologymodern designmodern eramodern times

Common misspellings

modrenmodermodurn

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written