modern

adjective

mod·ern | \ˈmä-dərn,

nonstandard ˈmä-d(ə-)rən\

Definition of modern

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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.

modern

noun

Definition of modern (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : 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

Other Words from modern Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about modern

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Other Words from modern

Adjective

modernity \mə-ˈdər-nə-tē,

mä-, -ˈder-

\ noun

modernly \ˈmä-dərn-lē

\ adverb

modernness \-dərn-nəs

\ noun

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

In modern times, these camps have come to serve as a stabilizing force in a diffuse diaspora, forging links between far-flung Jewish communities and facilitating a fun, if not aggressively gendered, form of Jewish socialization. — Jamie Lauren Keiles, Vox, "How the JAP became America’s most complex Jewish stereotype.," 5 Dec. 2018 In more modern times, the CIA and others were trying to find Osama bin Laden and reported an observation of what looked like him. — Angela Chen, The Verge, "A retired Navy captain explains how drones will shape the future of war," 5 Dec. 2018 The modern way to wage such a fight is with chemistry. — Rob Dunn, Discover Magazine, "Our Attempts to Eradicate Insects are Just Making them Resistant to Pesticides," 16 Nov. 2018 The iconic Alicia Silverstone film is, of course, a modern-day interpretation of the Austen text. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "A New Adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma Is in the Works," 26 Oct. 2018 People are loving the dark spin on the old show, that highlights modern issues while also entertaining the masses. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Twitter is Legit Freaking Out Over "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina"," 26 Oct. 2018 From Count Dracula to Edward Cullen, there are both vintage and modern versions of vampires. — Blake Bakkila, Good Housekeeping, "One of Our Favorite Halloween Costume Ideas Is This DIY Vampire," 25 Oct. 2018 Rockwell had previously lived in a Flossmoor mid-century, modern residence designed by renowned architect Paul Schweikher. — David Gleisner, Daily Southtown, "Rare glass house carved into hillside hits the market in Olympia Fields," 14 July 2018 From antique-inspired arm chairs to ultra-modern stackable counter stools, this affordable line has a little something for every taste and budget. — Jaime Osnato, SELF, "Amazon’s New Home Collection Is My Vision Board Come to Life—Here Are 13 Things I Want," 21 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Over the last few decades, architectural groups have turned their attention from modernist favorites to post-modern and late modern structures, such as the Vanna Venturi house. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Rethinking the modern house museum," 12 Oct. 2018 Saying mid-century modern's had a revival would be one serious understatement. — Hillary Brown, House Beautiful, "Everything You Need To Know About Mid-Century Modern Design," 13 Sep. 2018 Today Bocagrande, which has some of Colombia's most expensive real estate, is the neighborhood of choice for those who prefer, and can afford, ocean-side modern. — Maureen Orth, Town & Country, "Inside Cartagena," 11 Jan. 2013 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

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.