modern

1.adjectiveA2

Definition

using or based on the newest ideas, designs, or technology — opposite of old-fashioned or traditional.

Example

The hospital bought modern scanning machines that give clearer results.

collocation: modern machines / modern equipment

Olivia's kitchen has a modern look with flat cabinets and stainless steel handles.

collocation: modern look / modern style

Common collocations

modern technology
modern design
modern kitchen
modern approach
modern methods
modern furniture

Synonyms

up-to-date
more informal; suggests recent improvements rather than broad innovation
cutting-edge
stronger; suggests the very newest, often in science or technology
contemporary
focuses on current time, not necessarily newness or innovation
new
broader and simpler; does not imply a contrast with traditional styles

Antonyms

old-fashioned
common opposite in everyday use
outdated
strongly negative; suggests something is no longer useful
traditional
neutral opposite; does not carry negative judgment

Grammar Patterns

modern + noun

be + modern

Usage Note

Frequently applied to objects, methods, or ideas that feel new rather than old-fashioned. When describing technology or design, it often contrasts with 'traditional'. Distinguish from 'contemporary' — 'modern' emphasizes innovation and newness, not merely the present time.

Common Mistakes

This is a modern phone from 2010.

This is an old phone from 2010.

Technology from 2010 is no longer considered modern or up-to-date.

We need a modern solution to this old problem.' (vague)

We need an innovative solution to this old problem.

Use 'modern' for objects/technology, not abstract ideas where a different word fits better.

2.adjectiveB1

Definition

relating to the current era or the recent past — in historical terms, this usually means from around the year 1500 up to the present day.

Example

Modern medicine has found treatments for diseases that were deadly two hundred years ago.

collocation: modern + field of study (modern medicine, modern history, modern art)

The gallery's modern art wing displays paintings from the past eighty years.

Common collocations

modern era
modern world
modern history
modern society
modern times
modern life

Synonyms

present-day
more specific to the current moment; less formal
current
emphasises the very recent present; shorter time frame
contemporary
overlaps with modern but lacks the historical-period meaning

Antonyms

ancient
refers to the distant past, before the Middle Ages
medieval
refers specifically to the period between ancient and modern (roughly 500–1500 CE)

Grammar Patterns

modern + period noun

in modern + noun

Usage Note

Common in historical and academic contexts to distinguish the period after the Middle Ages from ancient or medieval eras. 'Modern history' typically starts around 1500 CE. Does not describe individual objects or fashions — use sense 1 for that.

Common Mistakes

I bought a modern dress for the party.' (when meaning new/fashionable)

I bought a stylish new dress for the party.

For describing a single object as new or trendy, use sense 1 (NEW/UP-TO-DATE). Sense 2 is for eras, societies, and broad historical periods.

Modern history begins in 2020.

Modern history is usually considered to begin around 1500.

The historical definition of 'modern' starts much earlier than most learners expect.

1.nounB2

Definition

someone who holds up-to-date opinions and prefers current ways of living rather than old-fashioned or traditional ones.

Example

The debate between tradition-minded villagers and the moderns grew heated at the town meeting.

often in plural: the moderns

In the 1920s, moderns shocked elders with short hair and jazz.

Synonyms

progressive
broader; can describe anyone open to social change, not just cultural attitudes

Antonyms

traditionalist
someone who prefers old ways and resists change
conservative
political or social context; resists rapid change

Grammar Patterns

the moderns

a (true) modern

Usage Note

Slightly formal or literary. The plural form 'moderns' is more common than the singular. Often appears in discussions of cultural change or generational conflict.

Common Mistakes

She is a modern who loves old music.

She is a modern who loves new music.

A 'modern' embraces new ideas, not old ones.

My father is a modern.' (too informal/casual)

Consider 'My father has modern views.

The noun form sounds formal or academic; the adjective is more natural in everyday speech.

2.nounC1

Definition

an artist, writer, or thinker who supported Modernism — a movement in the arts and literature that broke away from traditional styles in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Example

Picasso ranks among the most influential moderns of the early twentieth century.

moderns within Modernist art movement

The exhibition at the Centre Pompidou focuses on European moderns who changed painting forever.

Synonyms

modernist
more precise and more common in art criticism; interchangeable with 'modern' in this sense

Antonyms

traditionalist
in art, someone who works in classical or pre-modern styles

Grammar Patterns

the moderns (of a movement)

Usage Note

Almost always used in art, literature, and architecture criticism. Refers specifically to followers of the Modernist movement (roughly 1890–1950). Nearly interchangeable with 'modernist'. Learners are unlikely to need this word outside of academic arts contexts.

Common Mistakes

❌ 'My friend is a modern in how she dresses.' — This confuses the art-movement noun sense with the adjective sense. For personal style, use the adjective 'modern' or 'fashionable'.

❌ 'Shakespeare was a modern.' — Shakespeare belonged to the early modern period but was not a Modernist. This noun sense refers to the 20th-century art movement, not any person from modern times.

3.nounC2

Definition

a style of typeface design from the late 1700s that features even letter shapes, fine straight lines at the ends of strokes, and thick main strokes — for example, the Bodoni font.

Example

The book designer chose a modern typeface to give the title an elegant feel.

collocation: modern typeface / modern font

Bodoni is a classic modern, with sharp contrast between thick and thin strokes.

Common collocations

modern typeface
modern font
modern style

Antonyms

old style
an earlier typeface category with angled serifs and less contrast between strokes

Grammar Patterns

a modern typeface

in modern style

Usage Note

A specialist typography term. Learners studying graphic design or printing history will encounter it, but general English learners can safely skip this sense. Contrasts with 'old style' and 'transitional' typeface categories.

Word family

modernism
nounB2
modernist
nounC1
modernist
adjectiveC1
modernity
nounB2
modernize
verbB2
modernise
verbB2
modernization
nounB2
modernisation
nounB2
postmodern
adjectiveC1
modernly
adverbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words describe something that belongs to the present rather than the past, but they differ in emphasis. 'Modern' stresses newness, innovation, and a break from traditional styles — a modern kitchen uses the latest materials and designs. 'Contemporary' simply means 'of the present time' without implying innovation: a contemporary building was built recently but may not be cutting-edge. 'Current' is narrower, describing the very newest state of something (current prices, current events). 'Present-day' is a neutral time label for comparing past and present (present-day Japan). 'Up-to-date' is the most informal of the group and suggests that something has been recently improved to match the latest standards. For everyday objects, 'modern' and 'up-to-date' are close in meaning, but 'up-to-date' is used more for information and knowledge than for design style.

contemporary ↗current ↗present-dayup-to-date ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

ultra-modern
very modern
quite modern
fairly modern
thoroughly modern

Phrases

modern and contemporary
modern or traditional
blend of modern and classic

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'modernus' (modern), derived from 'modo' meaning 'just now' or 'recently'. The word entered English in the late 1500s through French 'moderne'. Its original sense was simply 'of the present time', and it gradually took on the additional meaning of 'new and innovative' as the idea of progress became central to Western thought.

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modern

modern — adjective

1. using or based on the newest ideas, designs, or technology — opposite of old-fas

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. relating to the current era or the recent past — in historical terms, this usual

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

modern — noun

1. someone who holds up-to-date opinions and prefers current ways of living rather

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. an artist, writer, or thinker who supported Modernism — a movement in the arts a

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. a style of typeface design from the late 1700s that features even letter shapes,

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Etymology

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