current

1 of 2

adjective

cur·​rent ˈkər-ənt 

ˈkə-rənt

1

a(1)

: occurring in or existing at the present time

the current crisis

current supplies

current needs

(2)

: presently elapsing

the current year

(3)

: most recent

the magazine's current issue

the current survey

b

archaic : running, flowing

2

: generally accepted, used, practiced, or prevalent at the moment

current fashions

current ideas about education

3

: used as a medium of exchange

currentness noun

current

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: the part of a fluid body (such as air or water) moving continuously in a certain direction

b

: the swiftest part of a stream

c

: a tidal or nontidal movement of lake or ocean water

d

: flow marked by force or strength

2

a

: a tendency or course of events that is usually the result of an interplay of forces

currents of public opinion

b

: a prevailing mood : strain

3

: a flow of electric charge

also : the rate of such flow

Synonyms of current

Adjective

• conventional
• usual
• prevailing
• customary
• standard

Noun

• direction
• trend
• tide
• tendency

Choose the Right Synonym for current

tendency, trend, drift, tenor, current mean movement in a particular direction.

tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force.

a general tendency toward inflation

trend applies to the general direction maintained by a winding or irregular course.

the long-term trend of the stock market is upward

drift may apply to a tendency determined by external forces

the drift of the population away from large cities

or it may apply to an underlying or obscure trend of meaning or discourse.

got the drift of her argument

tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course.

the tenor of the times

current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course.

an encounter that changed the current of my life

Examples of current in a Sentence

Adjective

The dictionary's current edition has 10,000 new words.

Who is your current employer?

We need to keep current with the latest information.

Noun

Strong currents pulled the swimmer out to sea.

Air currents carried the balloon for miles.

The circuit supplies current to the saw.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Classic '90s placements Perhaps driven by the current ’90s and ’00s pop-culture renaissance—and all the cool, famous girlies on TikTok declaring the return of all things Y2K—belly-button rings and tongue piercings are embarking on their own comeback tour. —Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 24 Jan. 2026

Additionally, try to get the last three years of your tax returns and current statements on your investment and retirement accounts as well as any credit cards, auto loans, or mortgages. —Heather L. Locus, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Noun

Swimming is not advised on the island’s unpatrolled beaches and strong ocean currents are considered hazardous, especially along the eastern coast. —Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026

Transcripts from nearly a century ago show a city meeting where concerns were voiced about sharp pieces of wood on the south ramp of the pier causing injury to beachgoers who were seeking first aid, sweeping currents pushing people into the pier and trash left behind by the influx of visitors. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latininization of Middle English corrant, curraunt, borrowed from Anglo-French curant, corant, present participle of coure, courir "to run, flow," going back to Latin currere "to run, roll, move swiftly, flow," going back to Indo-European *kr̥s-e- "run," whence also Greek epíkouros "helping, helper" (from *epíkorsos "running toward," with o-grade ablaut), Old Irish carr "cart, wagon," Welsh car "vehicle" (from Celtic *kr̥s-o-), and perhaps Germanic *hursa- horse entry 1

Note: The Indo-European base has generally been taken as a primary verb, though Latin is the only language in which it is so attested.

Noun

Latinization of Middle English curraunt, borrowed from Middle French courant, going back to Old French, noun derivative from corant, curant, present participle of coure, courir "to run, flow" — more at current entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing current

• alternating current
• current account
• current affairs
• current assets
• current events
• direct current
• eddy current
• rip current
• unidirectional current

Rhymes for current

• concurrent
• decurrent
• noncurrent
• recurrent
• countercurrent
• intercurrent
• overcurrent
• photocurrent
• undercurrent

Kids Definition

current

1 of 2 adjective

cur·​rent ˈkər-ənt 

ˈkə-rənt

1

a

: now passing

the current month

b

: occurring in or belonging to the present time

current events

2

: generally accepted, used, or practiced

current customs

currently adverb

currentness noun

current

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: the part of a fluid body moving continuously in a certain direction

b

: the swiftest part of a stream

2

: general course or movement : trend

3

: a stream of electric charge

also : the rate of such movement

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English curraunt, coraunt "moving, flowing, running," from early French corant, curant "running," derived from Latin currere "to run" — related to corridor, courier, course, excursion, incur, occur

Medical Definition

current

noun

cur·​rent ˈkər-ənt, ˈkə-rənt 

1

: the part of a fluid body (as air or water) moving continuously in a certain direction

2

: a flow of electric charge

also : the rate of such flow