Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

modern

/ˈmɑ.dɚn/

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.07 in modern English

Syllables
mod-ern
IPA
/ˈmɑ.dɚn/
9
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Pertaining to a current or recent time and style; not ancient.

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle French moderne, from Late Latin modernus; from Latin modo (“just now”), originally ablative of modus (“measure”); hence, by measure, "just now". See also mode.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈmɑ.dɚn/
  • British English: /ˈmɒd.ən/

Inflected Forms

moderner (comparative) more modern (comparative) modernest (superlative) most modern (superlative) modernmost (superlative) moderns (plural)

Derived Forms

Phrases

Frequently Paired Words

moderne Modernisme modernus

Synonyms

Antonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce modern?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈmɑ.dɚn/.
What does modern mean?
Pertaining to a current or recent time and style; not ancient.
Where does modern come from?
It is traced to Middle French.

How to pronounce modern

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “modern”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈmɑ.dɚn/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “modern”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “modern” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.