current
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- present, contemporary, fashionable, in fashion, in vogue, present-day, trendy (Brit. informal), up-to-date
- prevalent, accepted, common, customary, in circulation, popular, topical, widespread
[noun]
Synonyms:
- flow, course, draught, jet, progression, river, stream, tide, undertow
- mood, atmosphere, feeling, tendency, trend, undercurrent

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Antonyms: antique
Contrasted words: antiquated, antique, obsolete
Related Words: topical, up-to-date, accustomed, customary, a la mode, fashionable, modern, popular

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English Thesaurus: present, current, existing, contemporary, today’s/of today, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. cur‧rent¹ S2 W2 /ˈkʌrənt $ ˈkɜːr-/ adjective [only before noun]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: curant, present participle of courre 'to run', from Latin currere]
happening or existing now Synonym : present:
the current President
In its current state, the car is worth £1,000.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. current² W3 noun [countable]

1. a continuous movement of water in a river, lake, or sea ⇒ tide
ocean/sea/tidal etc current
Strong currents can be very dangerous for swimmers.

2. a continuous movement of air:
Some birds use warm air currents to help them fly.
current of
currents of warm air rising from the plain

3. a flow of electricity through a wire:
an electrical current ⇒ alternating current, direct current

4. an idea, feeling, or opinion that a particular group of people has:
The committee reflects the different political currents within the organization.
current of
There was an underlying current of discontent among teachers.
HINT:
► Do not confuse with currant (=a dried grape or a type of berry).

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

current
noun
I. continuous flowing movement of water
ADJ. fast, fast-flowing, powerful, strong | dangerous, treacherous | ocean | prevailing The prevailing current flows from east to west.
off-shore | tidal
CURRENT + VERB flow | carry sb/sth, sweep sb/sth The strong current carried the boat downstream. She was swept away by the treacherous currents.
PREP. against a/the ~ He was swimming against the current.
in a/the ~ The boat was carried along in the current.
with a/the ~ It's easier to go with the current.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

current
II. flow of air
ADJ. warm | air Birds of prey use warm air currents to lift them high in the sky.
PHRASES a current of air

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

current
III. flow of electricity through a wire
ADJ. strong, weak | electric, electrical | alternating | direct | input, output
VERB + CURRENT generate, produce | carry, pass, transmit | switch off/on Check all your wiring before switching on the current.
CURRENT + VERB flow, pass through sth Measure the current flowing in the wire.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

current
adjective
BAD: The current world encourages creativity.
GOOD: The modern world encourages creativity.
BAD: We need to know current English, not the language of Shakespeare.
GOOD: We need to know modern English, not the language of Shakespeare.

Usage Note:
current = happening or existing now, but not likely to last for a long time: 'How long has she been going out with her current boyfriend?' 'The current boom in long-haul travel has led to fierce competition among the major airlines.'
modern = used or existing in the period of history that we live in now, and not in an earlier period: 'What do you think of modern architecture?' 'Even by modern standards, the pyramids are a remarkable piece of engineering.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

present [only before noun] happening or existing now:
The present situation could get much worse.
the present century
There are no plans to build more houses here at the present time.
current [only before noun] present – used especially about something that is not expected to stay the same for long:
current trends in fashion
the current state of the UK economy
existing [only before noun] formal existing or being used now – used about things or situations that you think may be changed in the future:
The existing offices are too small.
The proposal will strengthen existing immigration laws.
contemporary [only before noun] used about the art, writing, ideas, society etc that belong to the present time:
the impact of computer-generated imagery on contemporary art and design
contemporary music in Russia
today’s/of today used about conditions and attitudes that exist now, when you are comparing them with those that existed in the past:
People struggle to keep up with the pace of life in today’s world of instant communications.
the liberal ideology of today
an ocean/sea/river current
Ocean currents carry young fish out to sea.
a tidal current (=caused by the movement of the tides)
Tidal currents make the seas around the islands very rough.
strong
On surfing beaches, strong currents are common.
fast/fast-flowing
Fast-flowing currents made the rescue job even harder.
dangerous/treacherous
Beaches usually have signs that warn of dangerous currents.
a current flows
Sea currents flow at up to 12 miles per hour around parts of the coast.
a current carries somebody/something (=makes them move along in the water)
Their boat was moving fast, carried by the current.
a current sweeps somebody/something (=carries them very powerfully, so that they cannot stop moving)
The treacherous currents have swept away three swimmers in the past year.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

present [only before noun] happening or existing now:
The present situation could get much worse.
the present century
There are no plans to build more houses here at the present time.
current [only before noun] present – used especially about something that is not expected to stay the same for long:
current trends in fashion
the current state of the UK economy
existing [only before noun] formal existing or being used now – used about things or situations that you think may be changed in the future:
The existing offices are too small.
The proposal will strengthen existing immigration laws.
contemporary [only before noun] used about the art, writing, ideas, society etc that belong to the present time:
the impact of computer-generated imagery on contemporary art and design
contemporary music in Russia
today’s/of today used about conditions and attitudes that exist now, when you are comparing them with those that existed in the past:
People struggle to keep up with the pace of life in today’s world of instant communications.
the liberal ideology of today
present a problem
These mountain roads present problems even to experienced drivers.
present difficulties
Juggling work and family responsibilities presents difficulties for women.
present a challenge
I'm enjoying my new job because it presents an interesting challenge.
present a threat
The disease presents a grave threat to the livestock industry.
present an obstacle (=cause a problem that is difficult to deal with or solve)
The lack of money presented a massive obstacle.
give to let someone have something, without expecting to be paid for it:
He was always giving me gifts.
They gave a free drink to all their customers.
donate to give money to an organization that helps people or protects something, or to give your blood or part of your body to save someone’s life:
The company donates 1 per cent of its profits to charity.
70% of people wanted to donate their organs after death.
award to officially give money or a prize to someone:
She was awarded a million dollars in damages.
Hollywood awarded him an Oscar for his performance.
leave (also bequeath /bɪˈkwiːð, bɪˈkwiːθ/ formal) to officially arrange for someone to have something that you own after your death:
He left most of his property to his wife.
lavish somebody with something/lavish something on somebody formal to give someone a lot of something, especially praise, attention, or gifts:
After his team won, the press lavished him with praise.
confer formal to give someone an honour, a university degree, or the right or power to do something:
the powers conferred on him by Parliament
the highest honor that her country could confer on her
bestow formal to give someone something to show how much they are respected, for example an honour, a title, or a gift – a very formal use:
He was also bestowed the title of ‘Cultural Ambassador of Grenada’.
give somebody a present
He gave everyone a present.
give something as a present
I was given this book as a present.
buy somebody a present (also get somebody a present informal)
I want to buy a present for Lucy but I'm not sure what she'd like.
Did you get Bill a birthday present?
get a present (=receive a present)
Children soon learn to enjoy giving presents as well as getting them.
wrap a present
She spent the afternoon wrapping Christmas presents.
open/unwrap a present
Can we open our presents now?
exchange presents (=give each other a present)
We always exchange Christmas and birthday presents.
a birthday present
Thanks for the birthday present.
a Christmas present
What would Dad like as a Christmas present?
a wedding present
His wedding present to her had been a diamond necklace.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

current
ˈkʌrənt
See: swim against the current

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲