mod ‧ ern S1 W1 /ˈmɒdn $ ˈmɑːdərn/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ modernity , ↑ modernization , ↑ modernism , modernist, ↑ modernity , ↑ modernizer , ↑ modernization ; adjective : ↑ modern , ↑ modernist , ↑ modernistic ; verb : ↑ modernize ]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Late Latin ; Origin: modernus , from Latin modo 'just now' , from modus ; ⇨ ↑ mode ]
1 . [only before noun] belonging to the present time or most recent time SYN contemporary :
Such companies must change if they are to compete in the modern world.
They are the youngest children in modern times to face murder charges.
Smaller families are a feature of modern society.
Computers are an essential part of modern life.
a book about modern history
The original supermarkets were small by modern standards.
Modern Greek/Hebrew etc (=the form of the language used today)
2 . made or done using the most recent designs or methods SYN up-to-date :
A lot of progress has been made with the use of modern technology.
advances in modern medicine
modern surgical techniques
3 . [only before noun] modern art, music, literature etc uses styles that have been recently developed and are very different from traditional styles SYN contemporary :
an exhibition of modern art
modern dance
4 . having very recent attitudes or ways of behaving SYN progressive OPP traditional :
The school is very modern in its approach to sex education.
⇨ ↑ secondary modern
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ the modern world
The island has hardly been affected by the modern world.
▪ modern society
In modern society, elderly relatives rarely live with their children.
▪ modern times
It was one of the greatest disasters of modern times.
▪ the modern age/era/period (=now, rather than in the past)
In the modern age, television is the main means of mass communication.
▪ modern life
These problems are a major part of modern life.
▪ modern man (=people today)
Modern man gets much less exercise in his daily life than his ancestors.
▪ modern history British English (=recent history, as a subject of study)
a degree in modern history
▪ modern languages British English (=languages that are spoken today, as a subject of study)
French, German and other modern languages
▪ the modern equivalent of something (=something with the same importance or purpose as something from the past)
In their own minds they are the modern equivalent of highwaymen.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ modern something that is modern uses the most recent designs or methods:
The house looks very modern.
|
the city’s modern public transportation system
▪ the latest [only before noun] the newest that is available:
The camera uses the latest digital technology.
|
the very latest mobile phones
|
the latest news
▪ up-to-date using the most modern technology, ideas, information etc:
The hospital has the most up-to-date equipment in the country.
▪ newfangled [only before noun] informal modern – used when you disapprove of something and do not think it as good as the things that existed before:
He doesn’t believe in these new-fangled gadgets.
▪ high-tech, hi-tech using very advanced technology, especially electronic equipment and computers:
Modern tractors are full of high-tech equipment, including GPS systems.
|
It’s all very hi-tech.
▪ state-of-the-art using the newest and most advanced features, ideas, and materials that are available:
state-of-the-art technology
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a state-of-the-art home entertainment system
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The brand new arts centre is state-of-the-art.
■ COLLOCATIONS CHECK
▪ the latest technology/equipment/news
▪ up-to-date equipment/information/book/map
▪ new-fangled device/contraption/gadget
▪ high-tech industry/company/equipment
▪ state-of-the-art technology/equipment