coeval

[ koh-ee-vuhl ]

adjective

1. of the same age, date, or duration; equally old:

   Analysis has proved that this manuscript is coeval with that one.

2. coincident:

   Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were only approximately coeval.

noun

1. a contemporary:

   He is more serious than his coevals.

coeval

/ ˌkəʊɪˈvælɪtɪ; kəʊˈiːvəl /

adjective

1. of or belonging to the same age or generation

noun

1. a contemporary

Derived Forms

• coˈevally, adverb
• coevality, noun

Other Words From

• co·e·val·i·ty [koh-i-, val, -i-tee], noun
• co·eval·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of coeval¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Late Latin coaev(us) (equivalent to co- “with, together” + -aevus, adjective derivative of aevum “age”) + -al adjective suffix; co-, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of coeval¹

C17: from Late Latin coaevus from Latin co- + aevum age

Synonym Study

See contemporary.

Example Sentences

Beyond being triggering to my fertility-challenged coevals, it is absurd to assume that one's life — or one's child's life — is incomplete without a sibling.

From Salon

Such as it is today, it already was when the Fiat Lux was spoken; its beginning must have been coeval with that of time.

From Scientific American

Notably, the same pattern has been observed among dogs as compared to their wild coevals, the wolf: scientists note that dogs' brains are about 30% smaller relative to wolves' brains.

From Salon

Likewise, undergraduates at UC Santa Cruz have come out en masse in support of their graduate coevals.

From Salon

Not one's “coevals” or “co-equals,” but followers — a telling word that recalls cults.

From Salon