a tidal current
caused by the movement of the tides

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

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 ▲