Reading Theme:
Contemporary Definition: Modern & Coexisting Meanings (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：modern (contemporary)
contemporary
/kənˈtɛmpəˌrɛri/
adj.
Belonging to the present time; happening or existing now.
modern
➕
/ˈmɑːdərn/
adj.
Referring to things that are current, modern, or characteristic of the present era.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Prefix 'con-' (together) + root 'tempor' (time) + suffix '-ary'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'con' (together) + 'temporary' (time) — together in time = contemporary.
📖 Example
She loves visiting art galleries to see the latest work by contemporary artists.
She loves visiting art galleries to see the latest work by contemporary artists.
🔗 Collocations
contemporary art – art of the present day
contemporary music – music from the current era
contemporary society – society in the present time
🔄 Synonyms
modern (adj.) – relating to the present time or recent times
current (adj.) – belonging to the present time; happening now
present-day (adj.) – existing or occurring now
🚫 Antonyms
ancient (adj.) – belonging to the very distant past
outdated (adj.) – no longer in use or fashionable
old-fashioned (adj.) – no longer modern or fashionable
🌱 Derivatives
contemporaneity (n.) – the quality of being contemporary
contemporaneously (adv.) – in a contemporary manner
contemporize (v.) – to make contemporary
📖 Cultural Story
From Latin 'contemporarius' (con- + tempus 'time'). Originally meant 'of the same time', now also 'modern'.
Meaning 2：coexisting (contemporary)
contemporary
/kənˈtɛmpəˌrɛri/
adj.
Living or happening in the same period of time.
coexisting
➕
/ˌkoʊɪɡˈzɪstɪŋ/
adj.
Referring to people or things that exist or happen at the same historical period.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Although they never met, the scientist and the novelist were contemporary figures who both explored similar ideas about the future.
Although they never met, the scientist and the novelist were contemporary figures who both explored similar ideas about the future.
🔗 Collocations
contemporary of – someone who lived at the same time as another
be contemporary with – to exist at the same time as
contemporary accounts – records written at the time of the events
🔄 Synonyms
coeval (adj.) – having the same age or date of origin
coetaneous (adj.) – having the same age; contemporary
simultaneous (adj.) – occurring at the same time
🚫 Antonyms
noncontemporary (adj.) – not belonging to the same time period
asynchronous (adj.) – not existing or happening at the same time
🌱 Derivatives
contemporaneously (adv.) – in a way that exists at the same time
contemporaneity (n.) – the state of being contemporary
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