modern

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

Updated on: 16 May 2018

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

Though credited with transforming the Southeast Asian backwater into a modern economy, his dominance, like that of his contemporary, Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore, was stifling.

— Washington Post, "Ex-strongman seeks legacy as savior of Malaysia’s democracy," 12 May 2018
Each offers modern facility features, including 28-foot and 32-foot clear heights, 130-foot and 210-foot (shared) truck courts, early suppression fast response sprinklers, and abundant trailer parking.

— Houston Chronicle, "20 acre development Parc Air 59 to open in Humble by end of 2018," 12 May 2018
But modern plasma products do not carry such risks.

— The Economist, "Lift bans on paying for human-blood plasma," 12 May 2018
If modern success is a blur, then Migos makes a blurry sound that fits the moment.

— john adamian, courant.com, "Migos To Perform At Hot Jam At Xfinity Theatre," 12 May 2018
Many experts consider Tobocman a modern master, and often his houses are called masterpieces.

— judy rose, Detroit Free Press, "Bloomfield Hills home remains as Irving Tobocman designed it 40 years ago," 12 May 2018
Both have committed big sums to new joint ventures designed to bring more modern cars to Iran.

— stephen wilmot, WSJ, "What France’s Car Makers Have to Lose in Iran," 11 May 2018
Their riff on the style is deliberately simple and to the point, but still features enough low-key details like slanted front pockets and wider-than-usual belt loops to give it the right amount of modern flair.

— tyler watamanuk, GQ, "The Best Work Pants to Wear Right Now," 11 May 2018
The 2018 Honda Accord has a modern fastback shape, adaptive radar cruise control, semi-autonomous lane-keeping assist, and a road departure mitigation system that will keep you from distractedly drifting into the abyss.

— gary gastelu, Fox News, "The 2018 Honda Accord Sport is a stirring sedan," 11 May 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

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
Together, the two chefs won over critics with their modern styled fusion fare at The Cecil, an upscale restaurant in Harlem founded by Smalls and business leader Richard Parsons.

— NBC News, "Two award-winning chefs unfold the black culinary experience in a cookbook," 13 Feb. 2018
The gist of his criticism was that Titian lacked the mastery of form resulting from close study, early on, of antique sculpture and the work of moderns who emulated it.

— catesby leigh, National Review, "A Genius in Draft Form," 20 Jan. 2018
The single-level midcentury modern, built in 1956 on a 6,969-square-foot lot in Montavilla, has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,040 square feet ($251 a square foot).

— OregonLive.com, "Biggest bidding wars of 2017: Portland homes that sold for way over asking price (photos)," 31 Dec. 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