modern

1 of 2

adjective

mod·​ern ˈmä-dərn 

 nonstandard  ˈmä-d(ə-)rən

1

a

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the present or the immediate past : contemporary

the modern American family

b

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a period extending from a relevant remote past to the present time

modern history

2

: involving recent techniques, methods, or ideas : up-to-date

modern methods of communication

3

capitalized : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of the present or most recent period of development of a language

Modern English

4

: of or relating to modernism : modernist

Modern art has abandoned the representation of recognizable objects.

modernly

ˈmä-dərn-lē 

adverb

modernness

ˈmä-dərn-nəs 

noun

modern

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a person of modern times or views

b

: an adherent of modernism : modernist

2

: a style of printing type distinguished by regularity of shape, precise curves, straight hairline serifs, and heavy downstrokes

Synonyms

Adjective

• 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

Noun

• modernist
• ultramodernist

Examples of modern in a Sentence

Adjective

Water pollution is a growing problem in the modern world.

He's known as the father of modern medicine.

The English that was spoken by William Shakespeare is very different from the modern English spoken today.

She is learning Modern Greek.

They live in one of the most modern cities in the world.

modern methods of communication including e-mail and the Internet

She cut her long hair for a modern look.

He made his old-fashioned apartment look more modern by changing the color of the walls and buying new furniture.

Their latest movie is a modern version of a classic children's story.

She has modern ideas about dating and marriage.

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The top pick is the Badgley Mischka Gigi Pointed-Toe Flat for their ability to combine both a modern and vintage look. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025

Both tracks, which coincidentally come from Black musicians performing modern takes on country, led the Hot 100 for 19 frames. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

Noun

This new take mixes the classic with the modern to give families with teens plenty to discuss. —Devonne Goode, Parents, 29 Jan. 2025

Design lovers the world over seek out mid-century modern (MCM) gems that are coming to market after 50+ years with the families who designed and cherished them, racing to preserve them against the 'modern farmhouse' construction sharks and painfully grey house flippers. —Alexandra Bregman, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Late Latin modernus, from Latin modo just now, from modus measure — more at mete

First Known Use

Adjective

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing modern

• anti-modern
• modern-day
• modern man
• modern pentathlon
• pre-modern

Rhymes for modern

• postmodern
• premodern

Kids Definition

modern

1 of 2 adjective

mod·​ern ˈmäd-ərn 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the present or the recent past

2

: of or relating to the period from about 1500 to the present

modern history

Modern English

modernity

mə-ˈdər-nət-ē  mä- 

noun

modernness

ˈmäd-ərn-nəs 

noun

modern

2 of 2 noun

: a person of modern times or ideas