current

[ kur-uhnt, kuhr- ]

adjective

1. passing in time; belonging to the time actually passing:

   the current month.

2. prevalent; customary:

   the current practice.

   Synonyms: rife, popular, widespread, common

   Antonyms: obsolete

3. popular; in vogue:

   current fashions.

   Synonyms: modish, fashionable, stylish

   Antonyms: outmoded, old-fashioned

4. new; present; most recent:

   the current issue of a publication.

5. publicly reported or known:

   a rumor that is current.

6. passing from one to another; circulating, as a coin.
7. Archaic. running; flowing.
8. Obsolete. genuine; authentic.

noun

1. a flowing; flow, as of a river.
2. something that flows, as a stream.
3. a large portion of air, large body of water, etc., moving in a certain direction.
4. the speed at which such flow moves; velocity of flow.
5. Electricity. electric current.
6. a course, as of time or events; the main course; the general tendency.

current

/ ˈkʌrənt /

adjective

1. of the immediate present; in progress

   current events

2. most recent; up-to-date
3. commonly known, practised, or accepted; widespread

   a current rumour

4. circulating and valid at present

   current coins

noun

1. (esp of water or air) a steady usually natural flow
2. a mass of air, body of water, etc, that has a steady flow in a particular direction
3. the rate of flow of such a mass
4. Also calledelectric current physics
   1. a flow of electric charge through a conductor
   2. the rate of flow of this charge. It is measured in amperes I
5. a general trend or drift

   currents of opinion

current

/ kûr′ənt /

1. A flowing movement in a liquid, gas, plasma, or other form of matter, especially one that follows a recognizable course.
2. A flow of positive electric charge. The strength of current flow in any medium is related to voltage differences in that medium, as well as the electrical properties of the medium, and is measured in amperes. Since electrons are stipulated to have a negative charge, current in an electrical circuit actually flows in the opposite direction of the movement of electrons.
3. See also electromagnetismSee Note at electric charge

Derived Forms

• ˈcurrentness, noun
• ˈcurrently, adverb

Other Words From

• current·ly adverb
• non·current adjective
• non·current·ly adverb
• pre·current adjective
• un·current adjective
• un·current·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of current¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Latin current-, stem of currēns “running,” present participle of currere; replacing Middle English curraunt, from Anglo-French, from Latin, as above; -ent ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of current¹

C13: from Old French corant, literally: running, from corre to run, from Latin currere

A Closer Look

Electric current is the phenomenon most often experienced in the form of electricity. Any time an object with a net electric charge is in motion, such as an electron in a wire or a positively charged ion jetting into the atmosphere from a solar flare, there is an electric current; the total current moving through some cross-sectional area in a given direction is simply the amount of positive charge moving through that cross-section. Current is sometimes confused with electric potential or voltage, but a voltage difference between two points (such as the two terminals of a battery) means only that current can potentially flow between them; how much does in fact flow depends on the resistance of the material between the two points. Electrical signals transmitted through a wire generally propagate at nearly the speed of light, but the current in the wire actually moves very slowly: pushing electrons into one end of the wire is rather like pushing a marble into one end of a tube filled with marbles—a marble (or electron) gets pushed out the other end almost instantly, even though the marbles (or electrons) inside move only incrementally.

Example Sentences

If new variants manage to overcome the current vaccines, they could require at the very least a booster shot — further slowing down the rollout by adding yet another dose — or require producing new vaccines altogether.

From Vox

So toilet paper, or a character wearing a mask, immediately brings you to the current day.

From Vox

If you say your helmet is better than another helmet, you have to be able to prove it, something that’s very hard to do given the current framework.

From Outside Online

It’s often a good idea to follow this guideline, as setting a goal that is significantly lower than your current CPA could cause your conversion rate to crash.

From Search Engine Watch

It’s important to note that keywords are constantly evolving based on current trends, events, and news.

From Search Engine Watch

Current and former intelligence officials have said North Korea has long been a priority target for American spies.

From The Daily Beast

One of its top officials is the current minister of the interior in Baghad.

From The Daily Beast

She ultimately ditched JSwipe after about a week and found her current, non-Jewish, boyfriend on OkCupid.

From The Daily Beast

Judging from current figures, there would be a substantial demand for this option, too.

From The Daily Beast

Under the current president and his predecessor, Jett notes, the ambassadorship of Belize has gone to college roommates.

From The Daily Beast

But he marred it all by a temper so ungovernable that in Paris there was current a byword, "Explosive as Garnache."

From Project Gutenberg

That—and no existing institution and no current issue—is the primary concern of the present age.

From Project Gutenberg

It has been found, within the current year, impossible to read even a newspaper!

From Project Gutenberg

The campaign of 1796 for the time being altered the current of Massna's military life.

From Project Gutenberg

A subtle current of desire passed through her body, weakening her hold upon the brushes and making her eyes burn.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• flood
• river
• stream
• tide

When To Use

What are other ways to say current?

Something that is current is customary or in vogue. How is current different from the adjectives prevailing and prevalent? Find out on Thesaurus.com.