Definition of coeval
: of the same or equal age, antiquity, or duration
—
What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
coeval was our Word of the Day on 01/31/2010. Hear the podcast!
Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
Examples of coeval in a Sentence
two stars thought to be coeval because they have nearly the same mass and brightness
Did You Know?
Coeval comes to English from the Latin word coaevus, meaning "of the same age." "Coaevus" was formed by combining the "co-" prefix ("in or to the same degree") with Latin aevum ("age" or "lifetime"). The root "ev" comes from "aevum," making words such as "longevity," "medieval," and "primeval" all near relations to "coeval." Although "coeval" can technically describe any two or more entities that coexist, it is most typically used to refer to things that have existed together for a very long time (such as galaxies) or that were concurrent with each other in the distant past (parallel historical periods of ancient civilizations, for example).
Origin and Etymology of coeval
coeval Synonyms
Synonyms
coexistent, coexisting, coextensive, coincident, coincidental, concurrent, contemporaneous, contemporary, coterminous, simultaneous, synchronous;
Antonyms
asynchronous, noncontemporary, nonsimultaneous, nonsynchronous;
Related Words
Synonym Discussion of coeval
contemporary, contemporaneous, coeval, synchronous, simultaneous, coincident mean existing or occurring at the same time. contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them.
-
- Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin
-
- contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping
-
- two stars thought to be coeval
-
- synchronous timepieces
-
- the two shots were simultaneous
-
- the end of World War II was coincident with a great vintage year
Learn More about coeval
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for coeval
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up coeval? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
