DictionaryAI

contemporary

USkuhn-TEM-puh-rair-ee/kənˈtɛm.pəˌɹɛɹ.i/UKkuhn-TEM-puh-ruh-ree/kənˈtɛm.p(ə).ɹəɹ.i/

Noun pluralcontemporaries

4 meanings of contemporary

Practice

  1. 1
    modernadjective
    Belonging to the present time, and happening or made now.

    Like the clothes for sale in stores right now, not from years ago.

    Many contemporary buildings use lots of glass and steel.

    She likes contemporary music more than the old songs.

    UsageUsually put contemporary before a noun: contemporary art, contemporary design.

    Similarmodern, current, present, present-day

    Oppositearchaic

    Note
  2. 2
    same periodadjective
    Living or happening at the same time as someone or something else.

    Like two students who are in the same school year together.

    The old castle walls are contemporary with the church next to them.

    These two kings were contemporary and often wrote to each other.

    UsageUse with before the other person or thing: Dickens was contemporary with Thackeray.

    Similarcontemporaneous, coeval

    Oppositeanachronistic

    Note
  3. 3
    nouncountable
    A person or thing from the same time as another, or a person about the same age as you.

    Like a classmate who started school the same year you did.

    Mozart was a contemporary of Haydn.

    She felt closer to her contemporaries than to her older relatives.

    UsageSay a contemporary of Darwin, or her contemporaries.

    Similarpeer

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    noundatedcountable
    A rival newspaper or magazine that comes out at the same time.

    Similarrival, competitor

    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin words meaning "with" and "time."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

  • Contemporary ultimately derives from Latin elements meaning “with” and “time”. en.wiktionary.org