current
Americanadjective
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passing in time; belonging to the time actually passing.
the current month.
-
the current practice.
- Synonyms:
- rife, popular, widespread, common
- Antonyms:
- obsolete
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popular; in vogue.
current fashions.
- Synonyms:
- modish, fashionable, stylish
- Antonyms:
- outmoded, old-fashioned
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new; present; most recent.
the current issue of a publication.
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publicly reported or known.
a rumor that is current.
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passing from one to another; circulating, as a coin.
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Archaic. running; flowing.
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Obsolete. genuine; authentic.
noun
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currents
plural
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a flowing; flow, as of a river.
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something that flows, as a stream.
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a large portion of air, large body of water, etc., moving in a certain direction.
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the speed at which such flow moves; velocity of flow.
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Electricity. electric current.
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a course, as of time or events; the main course; the general tendency.
adjective
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of the immediate present; in progress
current events
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most recent; up-to-date
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commonly known, practised, or accepted; widespread
a current rumour
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circulating and valid at present
current coins
noun
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(esp of water or air) a steady usually natural flow
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a mass of air, body of water, etc, that has a steady flow in a particular direction
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the rate of flow of such a mass
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Also called: electric current. physics
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a flow of electric charge through a conductor
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I. the rate of flow of this charge. It is measured in amperes
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a general trend or drift
currents of opinion
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A flowing movement in a liquid, gas, plasma, or other form of matter, especially one that follows a recognizable course.
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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.
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See also electromagnetism Ohm's law See Note at electric charge
Usage
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.
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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currentnessnoun
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noncurrentadjective
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precurrentadjective
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uncurrentadjective
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currentlyadverb
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noncurrentlyadverb
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uncurrentlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of current
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; see -ent ( def. )
Explanation
If it's in the past, it's not current. If it's out of date, out of style, or out of time, it's not current. If it's up-to-the-minute, right now, and in the present, it is current. Origins of the word current all point to the meaning "present." Things that are current are happening now; they are part of the present time. News reporting looks at "current affairs" because past affairs are no longer news; they are history. Expressions like "staying current" or "keeping up with current events" show a need or desire to know what's popular, important, or relevant now. As a noun, a current can be a flow of water, electricity, or ideas.
Vocabulary lists containing current
"Of Mice and Men"
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List 8
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Physical Geography - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The Met Office has said the current seasonal outlook suggests an increased likelihood of wetter than average conditions during autumn, in part due to the El Niño weather event.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
Appearing on BBC Radio 4 programme Any Questions on Friday, Lucas said she was not putting any blame on the party's current leader, Zack Polanski, who she said had done "great things" for the party.
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026
In her case, she thinks it was because her name appeared on 2002 voter rolls with the honorific “Khatun,” often used by Muslim women, which doesn’t appear on her current identification.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026
Ordinarily, cooling a metal causes its electrical resistance to fall steadily, allowing current to flow more easily.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2026
Maybe not all of the world’s current problems, but definitely its future problems.
From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy
Swells will not only bring the potential for water intrusion, but also hazardous surf — ranging from 3 to 6 feet in some areas — and rip currents, according to the weather service.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2026
Forecasters warned of an increased risk of drownings this week due to larger waves and strong rip currents, and cautioned that the ocean “may be too dangerous for swimming.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
"Hurricanes carry moisture and move ocean currents and plankton," he said, noting the consequences for seafood dishes at his restaurant Huniik, where he reimagines Mayan specialties.
From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026
Changes in its strength can influence climate conditions far from the locations where the currents themselves are measured.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 23, 2026
Perhaps the currents in the harbor were so strong that he could not keep the Turtle in the right position long enough to secure the explosive.
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
