Words / C1

k-uh-n-TEMPR-uh-ree/kənˈtemprəri/

Contemporary as an adjective means of the present day, or existing at the same period as someone or something else. Native writers say contemporary art (modern now) and Shakespeare’s contemporaries (people of his time). Modern overlaps the first sense; simultaneous is only “at the same time,” without the cultural flavour. As a noun, a contemporary is a person of the same period.

Meaning

Belonging to the present time, or existing at the same time as something else.

Examples

• “She prefers contemporary writers.”
• “The course mixes classical theory with contemporary case studies.”
• “Austen and her contemporaries wrote for a growing middle-class readership.”

Good to know

1) of today. 2) of the same period. noun: a contemporary.

Near in meaning

modern

New