contemporary

/kənˈtɛm.p(ə).ɹi/

Group 33Difficulty 1/3

Definitions

(adjective)
Living or occurring at the same time; belonging to or occurring in the present
GRE
(noun)
A person living at the same time or of roughly the same age as another
GRE

Example in Context

The exhibit juxtaposed classical sculptures with contemporary installations to explore how artistic responses to the human form have evolved.

Synonyms

moderncurrentpresent-day

Etymology

Living or occurring with others in the same time period.

  • con- (Latin) — with
  • tempus (Latin) — time

Memory Aid

Sounds like “con temp orary

At a CONVENTION, TEMP ORARY tattoos are all the rage — because they’re all about the NOW!

Visual Association

🕰️People dressed in modern fashion gather around a table filled with the latest gadgets and trends.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “contemporary” mean on the GRE?

contemporary (adjective) means “Living or occurring at the same time; belonging to or occurring in the present”. The exhibit juxtaposed classical sculptures with contemporary installations to explore how artistic responses to the human form have evolved.

How to remember “contemporary” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “contemporary” sounds like “con temp orary”. At a CONVENTION, TEMP ORARY tattoos are all the rage — because they’re all about the NOW!

What are synonyms for “contemporary”?

Common synonyms: modern, current, present-day.