DictionaryAI

current

KUR-uhnt/ˈkʌɹ.ənt/

Noun pluralcurrents

7 meanings of current

Practice

  1. 1
    presentadjective
    Happening or existing right now, at this time.

    What is the current time where you live?

    The current owner of the house just moved in last month.

    UsageSay my current job for the one you have now (not incorrect: my actual job).

    Similarpresent, present-day, contemporary

    Oppositepast, future

  2. 2
    moving waternouncountable
    Water or air moving in one direction, like the strong flow in a river or the sea.

    Like a moving lane of water in the sea that can push you along.

    Swimmers were warned about the strong current near the rocks.

    A cold current pulled the small boat away from the shore.

    UsageSwim against the current. Not currant, the small dried fruit.

    Similarflow, stream

    Note
  3. 3
    flow of chargenouncountable or uncountable
    The amount of electricity that flows past a point, for example in a wire, each second.

    Like water flowing through a pipe, but it is tiny bits of electricity moving instead of water.

    Too much current can melt the thin wires inside a plug.

    The current in this circuit is very small.

    UsageElectric current is the clearer name when water could also be meant.

    Similaramperage

    Note
  4. 4
    in general useadjective
    Widely used or accepted by people at this time.

    This style of music is still current among young people.

    Those rules were current years ago but have changed since.

    UsageOften in still current or no longer current.

    Oppositeout-of-date, unfashionable

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    general moodnouncountable
    A general way that events or feelings are moving among people.

    Like a river that quietly carries everything floating on it in the same direction.

    There was a strong current of anger in the crowd.

    She sensed a current of excitement among the passengers before the long trip.

    UsageOften a current of something: a current of excitement.

    Similartendency

    Note
  2. 6
    adjectiveSouth Asia
    Electric, or having to do with electricity.

    Every month we pay the water bill and the current bill at the same office.

    Don't touch that loose wire or you'll get a current shock.

    UsageOther readers may think current bill means this month's bill; electricity bill is clearer.

    Note
  3. 7
    adjectiveobsolete
    Moving or running very fast.
    For here we met, some ten or twelve of us, / To chase a creature that was current then / In these wild woods, the hart with golden horns.
    1859, Alfred Tennyson, “Vivien”Here, current means running fast.
    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of current apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Latin currere, meaning "to run," which came into English through Old French.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts