What is the difference between 'concurrent' and 'simultaneous'?

'Simultaneous' emphasizes exact sameness of timing (starting and ending together). 'Concurrent' can describe events that overlap in time but may not start and finish at exactly the same moments; it also has specific technical uses in law and computing.

Can 'concurrent' be used as a noun?

Rarely in general English. Its primary use is as an adjective. The related noun is 'concurrence'. In very specific technical jargon (e.g., programming), it might be used nominally ('handle the concurrents'), but this is not standard.

Is 'concurrently' a common adverb?

Yes, in formal and technical contexts. It's the standard adverbial form of 'concurrent', meaning 'at the same time'.

What is a 'concurrent sentence' in law?

It's a prison sentence that is served at the same time as another sentence, rather than one after the other (which would be consecutive). For example, two 5-year concurrent sentences mean a total of 5 years in prison, not 10.

Is “concurrent” formal?

Concurrent is usually formal, technical in register.

How do you pronounce “concurrent”?

Concurrent: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈkʌrənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈkɜːrənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

concurrent: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/kənˈkʌrənt/US/kənˈkɜːrənt/

Formal, Technical

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “concurrent” mean?

Happening or existing at the same time.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

Happening or existing at the same time.

Operating or acting in conjunction; agreeing in nature or tendency; having overlapping jurisdiction or validity.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in core meaning. In legal contexts, 'concurrent sentences' (served simultaneously) is standard in both, but procedural terminology may vary. Slight preference for 'simultaneous' in everyday US English where UK might use 'concurrent' in formal writing.

Connotations

Slightly more technical/conceptual in both varieties. In UK legal/administrative texts, can imply shared authority.

Frequency

More frequent in academic, legal, and technical writing in both varieties. Similar frequency overall.

Grammar

How to Use “concurrent” in a Sentence

concurrent withconcurrent inconcurrent upon

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

concurrent eventsconcurrent sentencesconcurrent jurisdictionconcurrent processesconcurrent users

medium

run concurrentoperate concurrentconcurrent developmentconcurrent accessconcurrent validity

weak

concurrent opinionconcurrent sessionsconcurrent linesconcurrent powersconcurrent testimony

Examples

Examples of “concurrent” in a Sentence

verb

British English

The two events will concur next Tuesday.
Their testimonies did not concur on that point.

American English

The two events will concur next Tuesday.
Their testimonies did not concur on that point.

adverb

British English

The programmes ran concurrently on different channels.
The two studies were conducted concurrently.

American English

The programs ran concurrently on different channels.
The two studies were conducted concurrently.

adjective

British English

The judge handed down concurrent prison sentences.
Concurrent engineering reduces time to market.

American English

The judge handed down concurrent prison sentences.
Concurrent engineering cuts time to market.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Refers to projects or processes running at the same time, e.g., 'concurrent product development cycles.'

Academic

Used in logic, philosophy, and sciences to describe events or conditions existing together, e.g., 'concurrent variables.'

Everyday

Less common; used for events happening together, e.g., 'The two festivals were concurrent.'

Technical

Key term in computing for processes executing in overlapping time intervals, and in law for sentences served simultaneously.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “concurrent”

Strong

simultaneoussynchronouscoincident

Neutral

simultaneouscoincidingcoexistingparallel

Weak

contemporaryaccompanyingconcomitant

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “concurrent”

sequentialsuccessiveseparatenonconcurrent

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “concurrent”

Using 'concurrent' to mean 'subsequent' or 'following'.
Confusing with 'consecutive'.
Misspelling as 'concurrent'.
Using as a noun in general contexts (it's primarily an adjective).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: 'Simultaneous' emphasizes exact sameness of timing (starting and ending together). 'Concurrent' can describe events that overlap in time but may not start and finish at exactly the same moments; it also has specific technical uses in law and computing.
: Rarely in general English. Its primary use is as an adjective. The related noun is 'concurrence'. In very specific technical jargon (e.g., programming), it might be used nominally ('handle the concurrents'), but this is not standard.
: Yes, in formal and technical contexts. It's the standard adverbial form of 'concurrent', meaning 'at the same time'.
: It's a prison sentence that is served at the same time as another sentence, rather than one after the other (which would be consecutive). For example, two 5-year concurrent sentences mean a total of 5 years in prison, not 10.
: Happening or existing at the same time.
: Concurrent is usually formal, technical in register.
: Concurrent: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈkʌrənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈkɜːrənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“concurrent with the times”
“run concurrent to”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of CONCURRENT as CON-CURRENT: running a race (current) TOGETHER (con-) at the same time.

Conceptual Metaphor

TIME IS SPACE (events occupying the same temporal space); PARALLEL LINES (running alongside each other without meeting).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The two conferences were , making it impossible for delegates to attend both.

Multiple Choice

In computing, what does 'concurrent processing' typically mean?