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Meaning of current in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Noun
    1. Definitions
  3. Qualitative Adjective
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈkərənt/

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  1. Noun

    current

    Definitions

    1. a flow of electricity through a conductor

    Examples

    • « the current was measured in amperes »
  2. 2. a steady flow (usually from natural causes)

    Examples

    • « the raft floated downstream on the current »
    • « he felt a stream of air »

    Derived terms

    • stream
    • well out
  3. 3. dominant course (suggestive of running water) of successive events or ideas

    Examples

    • « two streams of development run through American history »
    • « stream of consciousness »
    • « the flow of thought »
    • « the current of history »
  4. Qualitative Adjective

    current

    Etymology

    Middle English (in the adjective sense ‘running, flowing’): from Old French corant‘running’, from courre‘run’, from Latin currere‘run’

    Definitions

    1. occurring in or belonging to the present time

    Examples

    • « current events »
    • « the current topic »
    • « current negotiations »
    • « current psychoanalytic theories »
    • « the ship's current position »

    Synonyms

    • actual
    • afoot(p)
    • underway
    • circulating(a)
    • contemporary
    • present-day(a)
    • incumbent
    • live
    • ongoing
    • in progress(p)
    • on-line(a)
    • prevailing
    • prevalent
    • rife
    • topical
    • up-to-date
    • up-to-the-minute
    • latest
    • live

    Antonyms

    • noncurrent

Famous quotes

  • « We live in an era with no historical precedents. History is no longer useful as a tool in helping us understand current changes. »
    Doug Coupland
  • « The most disastrous phenomenon of the current situation is the factor that imperialism is employing for its own ends all the powers of the proletariat, all of its institutions and weapons, which its fighting vanguard has created for its war of liberation. »
    Clara Zetkin
  • « The current total of countries in the world with First Amendments is one. You have guaranteed freedom of speech. Other countries don't have that. »
    Neil Gaiman
  • « Bond is the longest-running franchise ever and there's a reason for that: they are action movies but they are also touched by current events without being political or too serious. »
    Javier Bardem
  • « But I am not political in the current events sense, and I have never wanted anyone to read my poetry that way. »
    Diane Wakoski

See also

  • modern
  • new

Browse dictionary

  • currency
  • currawong
  • currant bush
  • currant
  • current
  • currently
  • currentness
  • current account
  • current electricity
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