up-to-date

up-to-date — adjective

1. containing or showing the newest facts, changes, or ideas about something, so th

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

containing or showing the newest facts, changes, or ideas about something, so that you have complete knowledge of it or follow the most recent trends

Example

Ryo checked the up-to-date train schedule before leaving for the station.

check + up-to-date + schedule

The hospital website lists up-to-date visiting hours for every ward.

up-to-date + noun (hours/list/information)

Common collocations
  • up-to-date information
  • up-to-date list
  • up-to-date record
  • up-to-date knowledge
  • up-to-date equipment
  • keep something up-to-date
  • stay up-to-date
  • bring something up-to-date
  • up-to-date on
  • up-to-date with
Synonyms
  • current

    broader and less emphatic; describes something happening or existing now, not necessarily the absolute newest

  • modern

    focuses on style, design, or technology rather than on having the most recent facts

  • latest

    emphasises the most recent version or release of something, often without implying complete knowledge

  • up-to-the-minute

    more intense; suggests information updated continuously, right up to the present moment

Antonyms
  • outdated

    no longer useful or correct because new information or styles have appeared

  • old-fashioned

    no longer considered modern or fashionable in style or ideas

  • obsolete

    no longer used or produced because something newer and better exists; suggests replacement, not just age

Grammar Patterns

up-to-date + noun

be/get/keep/stay + up-to-date

up-to-date + on/with + topic

Usage Note

Commonly used both before a noun ('up-to-date information') and after linking verbs such as 'be', 'keep', 'stay', or 'bring' ('the records are up-to-date'). The preposition 'on' introduces a topic area; 'with' often follows 'keep' or 'stay' to indicate maintaining currency alongside developments.

Common Mistakes

He read an up-to-date novel.
He read a recent novel.
'up-to-date' describes content that includes current facts or trends, not simply something newly published; 'recent' works better for a new release.
She is up-to-date about the new policy.
She is up-to-date on the new policy.
The correct prepositions are 'on' or 'with', not 'about'.

Word family

  • up-to-dateness
    nounC1
  • update
    verbB1
  • update
    nounB1
  • outdated
    adjectiveB2
  • out-of-date
    adjectiveB1
  • up-to-the-minute
    adjectiveC1
  • date
    nounA2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words relate to the present time, but they differ in scope. 'Current' simply means happening or existing now ('the current exchange rate') without implying that it is the newest available. 'Latest' focuses on the most recent version or item in a series ('the latest smartphone model'), often carrying an implication that another, even newer one may arrive soon. 'Modern' describes a general alignment with present-day styles, technology, or thinking ('modern architecture') rather than factual recency. 'Contemporary' is similar to 'modern' but strongly tied to the current era or living artists/thinkers ('contemporary dance'). 'Up-to-date' is the most specifically about being fully informed: it means your knowledge, records, or equipment include everything that has happened or changed up until now. For example, a doctor needs up-to-date training on new treatments, not just a modern clinic or current patients.

current ↗modern ↗up-to-date ↗contemporary ↗latest ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • fully up-to-date
  • completely up-to-date
  • reasonably up-to-date
  • kept up-to-date

Phrases

  • keep someone up-to-date
  • stay up-to-date
  • bring something up-to-date
  • remain up-to-date

Prepositions

Etymology

English adverb phraseEnglish nounEnglish compound adjective

Formed by combining the adverb phrase 'up to' (meaning 'as far as or as late as') with the noun 'date' (a specific point in time). The compound was first used in the mid-1800s in business and railroad contexts, originally referring to records or timetables that extended to the present day. By the early 1900s it had broadened into general use for anything modern or containing current information.