Meaning & use
modern
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Belonging to the present or recent time, rather than the distant past.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: modern life; life today is modern.
Patterns
- modern times
- a modern version of something
Modern cities face heavy traffic.
The kitchen has all the modern conveniences.
Modern medicine has saved millions of lives.
adjectivecomparable
Using the newest ideas, methods or technology.
Grammar: Often praising: a modern design.
The school is modern and well equipped.
She has a very modern approach to teaching.
adjectivebefore a noun
Relating to a style of art or architecture that broke from traditional forms in the 20th century.
Grammar: Often capitalized in titles: Museum of Modern Art.
Patterns
- modern art
- modern architecture
We visited the gallery of modern art.
The building is a fine example of modern architecture.
Word forms
| comparative | more modern |
|---|---|
| superlative | most modern |
Common combinations
- modern times
- In modern times, travel is much faster.
- modern technology
- Modern technology makes remote work easy.
- modern art
- He studies modern art.
- modern history
- She teaches modern history.
- modern society
- Stress is common in modern society.
- thoroughly modern
- The hotel is thoroughly modern.
Synonyms and how they differ
- contemporary
- Contemporary means of the same time and often describes art or design now, while modern covers a longer span.
- current
- Current means happening now, not necessarily new in style.
- up-to-date
- Up-to-date means informed or using the latest version, and it is more informal.
- recent
- Recent just means not long ago and says nothing about style.
Opposites
Word family
- modernize verb
- to make more modern
- modernity noun
- the quality of being modern
- modernism noun
- a 20th-century style movement in the arts
- modernization noun
- the process of updating
Commonly confused: modern or contemporary?
modern vs contemporary
Contemporary can also mean from the same time as another person or thing; modern does not.
Practice
Which phrase uses modern to mean using the newest technology?
Choose one answer.
Modern describes the up-to-date hospital. The others misuse it or conflict with old meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “modern”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.