adjective · neutral

contemporary

/kənˈtɛmpərəri/con·TEM·po·ra·ry

Band 6-7speakingtask2

belonging to the same period of time; modern or current, especially in art and culture

Examples

She specialises in contemporary art from Southeast Asia.

The gallery is known for showing contemporary artists.

Although he trained classically, his work has a contemporary edge.

Band 8 sentence

Many critics argue that 'contemporary art' is less a single style than an umbrella term encompassing diverse practices that respond to global issues.

Collocations

  • contemporary art
  • contemporary issues
  • a contemporary of

Word family

contemporary adjectivecontemporaries noun (plural)

Common mistakes

He is a contemporary painter.He is a contemporary painter.

The building has a contemporary style of 19th century.The building has a contemporary style.

Say it for a higher band

5modern6current7+contemporary

Synonyms

modern

Easily confused

modern

The museum's modern wing focuses on 20th-century movements, while the contemporary program highlights living artists.

Related words

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In Art & Culture

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