modern

adjective mod·ern \ ˈmä-dərn , nonstandard ˈmä-d(ə-)rən \

|Updated on: 10 Jul 2018

Examples: modern in a Sentence

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.

—

modernity

play \mə-ˈdər-nə-tē, mä-, -ˈder-\ noun

—

modernly

play \ˈmä-dərn-lē\ adverb

—

modernness

play \-dərn-nəs\ noun

See modern defined for English-language learners

See modern defined for kids

Examples of modern in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of modern from the Web

Within an intimate, 35-seat dining room across from an open kitchen, guests embark on eight courses, which present a modern interpretation of classic Czech flavors, using prime seasonal ingredients collected from nearby producers.

— kat odell, Vogue, "Where to Find the Fruits of Prague’s Food Revolution," 7 July 2018
Williams Brown’s list is long because modern life is complicated.

— linda rodriguez mcrobbie, BostonGlobe.com, "The triumph of gender-neutral ‘adulting’," 7 July 2018
Ditko, along with writer Stan Lee and writer-artist Jack Kirby, was a key player in the revival, doing a remarkable body of work that created Marvel Comics in its modern form.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "Steve Ditko, the co-creator of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, is dead.," 7 July 2018
The team’s findings suggest that modern American dogs are descended solely from Eurasian breeds introduced by European settlers.

— meilan solly, Smithsonian, "European Dogs Devastated Indigenous American Pup Populations," 6 July 2018
Even when time is of the essence, culinary innovators in cities like Paris offer modern twists on international street food and sandwiches with wholesome ingredients that make a quick bite still feel nourishing and laid-back.

— dana snitzky, Longreads, "Eating Alone," 6 July 2018
Through monthly leadership workshops, this program hopes to nurture the modern-day Eshet Chayil.

— sergio carmona, Jewish Journal, "Synagogue's new women's program receives grant from OU," 6 July 2018
Federal Judge Eric Bruggink sided with Davidson last week and agreed his work was an original design with a more modern, feminine and contemporary face.

— Washington Post, "Wrong Lady Liberty on stamp to cost US Postal Service $3.5M," 6 July 2018
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater grew out of a 1958 performance in New York City by a group of young African-American modern dancers.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "2 shows for arts lovers head to Dr. Phillips Center," 6 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'modern.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of modern

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1585

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

modern Synonyms

modern

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

See modern defined for English-language learners

Examples of modern in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of modern from the Web

For critics, the absence of the modern is compounded by a lack of stylistic purity.

— anthony alofsin, The Atlantic, "A Defense of the Suburbs," 6 June 2018
Photos courtesy of Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty A crisp Donald Wexler midcentury modern is up for sale in that sunny California enclave of Palm Springs.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "Nab this Donald Wexler midcentury pad in Palm Springs for $725K," 29 May 2018
For frantic moderns, silence also seems part of the comfort offered by primitive or eternal things.

— The Economist, "People crave silence, yet are unnerved by it," 17 May 2018
Measuring 1,774 square feet, the midcentury modern is nevertheless bright, spacious, and airy, with four bedrooms, two baths, and expansive common areas unfurling across a flowing floorplan.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "Updated SoCal Eichler asks $985K," 11 May 2018
For a more recent vintage of design appreciators who can’t recall a time when midcentury modern wasn’t in vogue?

— kelsey keith, Curbed, "57 minutes with design impresario Murray Moss," 2 Apr. 2018
In Philadelphia, discerning home decor junkies will find a tapas-bar-like array of stores, covering all the spice notes from traditional antique and international contemporary to local-artisan modern and far-out exotic.

— maura sheehy, ELLE Decor, "Shopping Philadelphia," 5 July 2012
The shapes combine a mid-century modern, real-world sensibility with the glamour and detail of the Art Deco era.

— marni elyse katz, BostonGlobe.com, "Curves ahead," 30 Mar. 2018
Custom upholstery, knobs and accessories give the interior a splash of mid century modern, and the outside holds its own just fine!

— katina beniaris, Country Living, "This Colorful Little Camper Is Exactly What Your Next Camping Trip Needs," 24 May 2017

Origin and Etymology of modern

see ¹modern

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1585

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

modern Synonyms

Synonyms

modernist, ultramodernist;

Antonyms

antediluvian, dodo, fogy (also fogey), fossil, fuddy-duddy, reactionary, stick-in-the-mud;

Near Antonyms

conservative, rightist, right-winger, standpatter, Tory;

old hand, old-timer, veteran;

conformist, traditionalist;

archconservative, Bourbon, diehard;

square, stuffed shirt;

Related Words

leftist, lefty, liberal, progressive;

extremist, radical, reformer, reformist, revolutionary, revolutionist;

bohemian;

MODERN Defined for English Language Learners

modern

adjective

: of or relating to the present time or the recent past : happening, existing, or developing at a time near the present time
: of or relating to the current or most recent period of a language
: based on or using the newest information, methods, or technology