current
KUH-ruhnt
Current (adjective) means happening or existing right now. Example: “What is your current job title?”
adjective
1
Happening or existing right now.
"What is your current job title?"
"The current situation is far from ideal."
"Please update your current address on the form before Friday."
noun
1
A continuous flow of water, air, or electricity in a particular direction.
"The swimmer was swept away by a strong current."
"Electric current flows through the wire."
"The kayak drifted slowly downstream with the current."
How to use current
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "happening now" (current events) or a moving flow of water, air, or electricity.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "currant," the small dried fruit — they're unrelated words that just sound alike.
Common pairings
current events
ocean current
electric current
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Word forms
- Comparative
- currenter, more current
- Superlative
- currentest, most current
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
What is your _____ job title?
Etymology
From Old French curant, present participle of courre, "to run," from Latin currere, "to run" — the same root as "currency" and "courier."
Synonyms
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present
ongoing
existing
contemporary
up-to-date
present-day
prevailing
recent
flow
stream
electric current
Antonyms
noncurrent
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “current” mean?
The word “current” means happening or existing right now. In plain terms, either "happening now" (current events) or a moving flow of water, air, or electricity.
How do you pronounce “current”?
“Current” is pronounced KUH-ruhnt (/ˈkʌɹənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “current” in a sentence?
Here is “current” used in a sentence: “What is your current job title?”
What part of speech is “current”?
Depending on how it is used, “current” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “current” come from?
The word “current” comes from Latin. From Old French curant, present participle of courre, "to run," from Latin currere, "to run" — the same root as "currency" and "courier.".
Is “current” a common word?
“Current” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “current” have?
“Current” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: happening or existing right now.
What is the difference between current and currant?
Current and currant sound identical but are unrelated. Current is usually an adjective meaning happening now, or a noun for a flow of water, air, or electricity. A currant is a small dried grape used in baking, or a type of soft berry. Only currant refers to the fruit — remember the 'a' for 'baking.'
Can current be used as a noun?
Yes. As an adjective it means happening now, as in 'current events.' As a noun it means a continuous flow — of water in a river, air in the wind, or electricity in a wire. The two uses share the idea of the present moment or of something moving and ongoing.
What is the difference between current and present?
The two are close synonyms and often interchangeable — 'current situation' and 'present situation' mean much the same. Current emphasises what is in effect or in use right now, while present simply points to this moment in time. Current also suits ongoing states, such as a current subscription or current account.
What is the opposite of current?
Common opposites include 'past,' 'former,' and 'previous,' which refer to what came before, and 'outdated' or 'obsolete,' which describe something no longer in use. Where current means up to date, its opposite is old-fashioned; where it means present, its opposite points backward in time.
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