contemporary
C1Formal, Academic, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
Existing or occurring in the present time; belonging to the same time period.
Modern in style or design; a person or thing living or existing at the same time as another.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Has two primary meanings: temporal (same time period) and stylistic (modern). Can describe people, things, ideas, or art. The meaning is often disambiguated by context and collocation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Slightly more common in UK English in the context of 'contemporary history' (post-1945).
Connotations
Neutral in both, though can imply a positive valuation of modernity or a neutral temporal descriptor.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
contemporary with [noun phrase]contemporary [noun][noun] is contemporaryVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A contemporary of”
- “In contemporary terms”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe current market conditions or modern business practices (e.g., 'contemporary management techniques').
Academic
Frequent in history, art history, sociology, and literature to denote a specific time period or modern scholarly work.
Everyday
Commonly used to describe modern styles in home decor, music, or fashion.
Technical
In art/architecture, denotes a specific style period (post-modern to present). In history, refers to the period from circa 1945 to the present.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The gallery specialises in contemporary British painting.
- He is a leading figure in contemporary political thought.
American English
- The museum has a great collection of contemporary art.
- Contemporary accounts of the event differ widely.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My sister likes contemporary music.
- This is a contemporary building.
- The book discusses contemporary social issues.
- She is a famous contemporary dancer.
- The novelist's work offers a sharp critique of contemporary consumer culture.
- Few of his contemporaries shared his radical views.
- The exhibition juxtaposes Renaissance masters with their contemporary counterparts.
- His philosophical framework is largely a product of early 20th-century thought, though it remains influential in contemporary debates.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'TEMPORary' in the middle: something CONTEMPORary exists in the same TEMPORal period.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS SPACE (co-existing in the same temporal 'space').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'современный' (modern) when the meaning is 'coeval' (a contemporary of Shakespeare). The Russian 'контемпорари' is a false friend and rarely used.
- Avoid using 'текущий' (current) for 'contemporary art'; 'современный' is correct.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'contemporary' to mean only 'modern' when context requires 'from the same time'.
- Incorrect: 'Shakespeare's contemporary language was difficult.' (Correct: 'Shakespeare's language is difficult for contemporary readers.')
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'contemporary' primarily refer to a shared time period rather than modernity?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Modern' often refers to a specific historical period (e.g., early to mid-20th century), while 'contemporary' means 'of the present time' and is constantly moving forward. In art, 'Modern Art' and 'Contemporary Art' are distinct periods.
Yes. As a noun, it means 'a person or thing living or existing at the same time as another.' Example: 'Shakespeare and his contemporary Christopher Marlowe.'
It is neutral but common in formal, academic, and journalistic registers. In everyday speech, 'modern' or 'current' are often simpler alternatives for the 'present-day' meaning.
The stress is on the second syllable: con-TEM-po-rar-y (US) / con-TEM-por-a-ry (UK). A common mistake is stressing the first syllable (CON-temporary).
Collections
Part of a collection
Cultural Topics
B2 · 47 words · Analyzing culture, society and identity.
Science and Research
B2 · 43 words · Academic and scientific research methodology.
Academic Vocabulary
C1 · 36 words · Formal academic language used in scholarly writing.
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