modern

A2 Topic:Culture & History

US /ˈmɑdɚn/ UK /ˈmɒd(ə)n/ See IPA manual

Freq #2171

Meanings

1

adj
Relating to the present time or recent times; not old.

The building still looks very modern even though it is old.
2

adj
Using the newest ideas, methods, or styles.

Their offices are in a modern skyscraper full of new technology.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · relating to the present... contemporarypresent-day

2 adj · using the newest ideas,... up-to-date modernistic

More current present

Opposites

ancient dated former historical old old-fashioned pastpremodern

Word family

Forms modernermodernestmoderns

Derived forms antemodernantimodernmetamodernmodern-daymodernermodernisemodernishmodernismmodernistamodernistic modernity modernize

Related forms modernemodernismemodernus

Appears in

Phrases (7)

See all

modern kitchen
a kitchen with contemporary design and up-to-date appliances

Adjective + noun
modern apartment
an apartment with up-to-date design and facilities

Adjective + noun
modern art
art created in the modern era, often experimental or non-representational

Adjective + noun
modern world
contemporary society with its current technology and conditions

Adjective + noun
modern dance
a style of dance developed in the twentieth century that emphasizes free, expressive movement

Adjective + noun
modern skyscraper
a very tall building constructed in a recent or contemporary style

Adjective + noun

Simplified etymology

Modern entered English in the late Middle English period from Late Latin modernus, which was formed from Latin modo, “just now.”

Etymology

From Middle French moderne, from Late Latin modernus; from Latin modo (“just now”), originally ablative of modus (“measure”); hence, by measure, "just now". See also mode.

*med- Proto-Indo-European moderne Middle French modernus la-lat modo Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Culture & History

External links

# modern

**Type:** Word
**Level:** A2
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˈmɑdɚn/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈmɒd(ə)n/
**Frequency rank:** 2171

## Meanings
1. Relating to the present time or recent times; not old.
2. Using the newest ideas, methods, or styles.

## Examples
- The building still looks very modern even though it is old.
- Their offices are in a modern skyscraper full of new technology.

## Synonyms
- current
- present

## Antonyms
- ancient
- dated
- former
- historical
- old
- old-fashioned
- past
- premodern

## Derived Forms
- antemodern
- antimodern
- metamodern
- modern-day
- moderner
- modernise
- modernish
- modernism
- modernista
- modernistic
- modernity
- modernize

## Related Forms
- moderne
- modernisme
- modernus

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *med-
- Root: moderne
- Root: modernus
- Root: modo

## Etymology
From Middle French moderne, from Late Latin modernus; from Latin modo (“just now”), originally ablative of modus (“measure”); hence, by measure, "just now". See also mode.

## AI Etymology
Modern comes from Middle French moderne, from Late Latin modernus; from Latin modo (“just now”), originally ablative of modus (“measure”); hence, by measure, "just now". See also mode. In present-day English its meanings include relating to the present time or recent times; not old and using the newest ideas, methods, or styles. The historical chain runs through *med- (Proto-Indo-European), moderne (Middle French), modernus (Late Latin), and modo (Latin). Related and derived forms include moderne, modernisme, modernus, and antemodern.

## Topics
- Culture & History

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