Modern — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈmä-dərn/ mod·ern

Meaning & Definition of Modern

Modern (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the present or the immediate past, contemporary
  2. of, relating to, or characteristic of a period extending from a relevant remote past to the present time
  3. involving recent techniques, methods, or ideas, up-to-date

Modern (noun)

  1. a person of modern times or views
  2. an adherent of modernism, modernist
  3. a style of printing type distinguished by regularity of shape, precise curves, straight hairline serifs, and heavy downstrokes

Modern (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being or involving the latest methods, concepts, information, or styles

    "this hairstyle is absolutely the most modern fashion out there"

    similar: contemporary, current, designer, hot, mod, modernistic, new, new age, newfangled, new-fashioned, present-day, red-hot, space-age, state-of-the-art, ultramodern, up-to-date, up-to-the-minute
    related: fashionable, happening, in, modish, nouvelle, now, stylish, last, latest, modernized, updated, futuristic, high-tech, latter-day, recent
    opposite: antiquated, archaic, dated, fusty, musty, oldfangled, old-fashioned, old-time, out-of-date, passé
    near: anachronistic, aged, age-old, ancient, antediluvian, hoary, old, venerable, bygone, former, late, olden, past, antique, historic, historical, retro, retrograde, kaput, obsolete, outmoded, outworn, unmodernized, old-world, discarded, disused, moth-eaten, forgotten, remote, ageless, dateless, timeless

Modern (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person with very modern ideas

    "the leaders of the American suffragists were originally regarded by many people as uppity moderns who should have stayed in their place"

    similar: modernist, ultramodernist
    related: neophiliac, leftist, lefty, liberal, progressive, extremist, radical, reformer, reformist, revolutionary, revolutionist, bohemian
    opposite: antediluvian, dodo, fogy, fossil, fuddy-duddy, reactionary, stick-in-the-mud
    near: conservative, rightist, right-winger, standpatter, Tory, old hand, old-timer, veteran, conformist, traditionalist, archconservative, Bourbon, diehard, neocon, neoconservative, paleoconservative, Colonel Blimp, square, stuffed shirt

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Modern

The most common words with a similar meaning to Modern:

contemporary, current, designer, hot, mod, modernistic, new, new age, newfangled, new-fashioned, present-day, red-hot, space-age, state-of-the-art, ultramodern, up-to-date, up-to-the-minute, modernist, ultramodernist

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Modern

Words with the opposite meaning of Modern:

antiquated, archaic, dated, fusty, musty, oldfangled, old-fashioned, old-time, out-of-date, passé, antediluvian, dodo, fogy, fossil, fuddy-duddy, reactionary, stick-in-the-mud

Related Words for Modern

fashionable, happening, in, modish, nouvelle, now, stylish, last, latest, modernized, updated, futuristic, high-tech, latter-day, recent, neophiliac, leftist, lefty, liberal, progressive, extremist, radical, reformer, reformist, revolutionary, revolutionist, bohemian

Near Antonyms of Modern

anachronistic, aged, age-old, ancient, hoary, old, venerable, bygone, former, late, olden, past, antique, historic, historical, retro, retrograde, kaput, obsolete, outmoded, outworn, unmodernized, old-world, discarded, disused, moth-eaten, forgotten, remote, ageless, dateless

Word Forms of Modern

Derived words: modernly (adverb), modernness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Modern

Late Latin modernus, from Latin modo just now, from modus measure mete

First known use: 1585

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Modern

Words & Phrases Containing Modern

modern-day, Modern Greek, Modern Hebrew, modern pentathlon, modern man, anti-modern, hypermodern, premodern

Frequently Asked Questions about Modern

What does "Modern" mean?

"Modern" means of, relating to, or characteristic of the present or the immediate past, contemporary. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: of, relating to, or characteristic of the present or the immediate past, contemporary. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Modern"?

Other words for "Modern" include contemporary, current, designer, hot, mod, modernistic, new and new age. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Modern" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Modern"?

There are 46 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Modern". Common alternatives include contemporary, current, designer, hot, mod, modernistic, new, new age, newfangled and new-fashioned.

What is the opposite of "Modern"?

Antonyms of "Modern" include antiquated, archaic, dated, fusty, musty, oldfangled, old-fashioned and old-time. Near antonyms include anachronistic, aged, age-old and ancient.

How do you use "Modern" in a sentence?

Examples of "Modern" in a sentence: "this hairstyle is absolutely the most modern fashion out there"; "the leaders of the American suffragists were originally regarded by many people as uppity moderns who should have stayed in their place".

Is "Modern" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Modern" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Modern" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Modern" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Modern"?

"Modern" is pronounced /ˈmä-dərn/ and divided into syllables as mod·ern.