current

current — adjective

1. belonging to or connected with the period of time that is happening now — for ex

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

belonging to or connected with the period of time that is happening now — for example, the current month, or news about current events around the world.

Example

Otis reads about current events in the newspaper every morning.

collocation: current events

The current issue of the magazine has a long article about solar energy.

collocation: current issue

Common collocations
  • current affairs
  • current events
  • current situation
  • current price
  • current year
  • current month
  • current issue
Synonyms
  • present

    more neutral and slightly broader; 'present' can refer to an ongoing state while 'current' emphasises what is happening right now

  • contemporary

    usually refers to a whole era or style rather than the immediate moment; e.g. contemporary art

  • up-to-date

    stresses having the latest information; e.g. up-to-date records

Antonyms
  • past

    relating to an earlier time

  • outdated

    no longer current or in use

Grammar Patterns

current + noun

be + current

Usage Note

Frequently used before nouns such as 'situation', 'price', 'rate', 'year', 'month', and 'affairs'. Unlike 'actual' (a common false friend for Romance-language learners), 'current' means 'present' — not 'real' or 'genuine'.

Common Mistakes

The actual situation is very difficult.' (when meaning present).
The current situation is very difficult.
'actual' means 'real', not 'present'; use 'current' for the time meaning.

current — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Current, present, contemporary, up-to-date, and modern all connect to the present time but differ in scope and use. Current emphasises what is happening right now and is common with things that change frequently — news, prices, issues (current events). Present is more neutral and can describe any time containing 'now,' including ongoing situations (my present job, the present moment). Contemporary usually refers to a broader era or shared style of the present age (contemporary architecture, contemporary music). Up-to-date stresses having the latest information or reflecting recent developments (an up-to-date phone, up-to-date records). Modern covers a wider historical span — anything from the recent past onwards — and often contrasts with 'traditional' (modern medicine, modern art). For example: The current forecast calls for rain today; her contemporary paintings hang in a modern gallery; make sure your passport is up-to-date before you travel.

present ↗contemporary ↗up-to-date ↗modern ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Prepositions

  • current in
  • current through
  • current of

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Current comes from Latin 'currere' meaning 'to run'. In Latin, the present participle 'currens' (running) became 'currant-' in stem form. This passed into Old French as 'corant' (running), then into Middle English as 'curraunt'. The earliest English meanings were connected to running water and flowing movement — a river current literally 'runs'. Over time the word extended from physical flow to time (the 'running' present) and to the 'flow' of opinions or feelings through a group. The same Latin root 'currere' also gives us 'course', 'cursive', 'currency', and 'curriculum'.