current

[ kur-uhnt, kuhr- ]

adjective

1. passing in time; belonging to the time actually passing:

   the current month.

2. prevalent; customary:

   the current practice.

   Synonyms: rife, popular, widespread, common

   Antonyms: obsolete

3. popular; in vogue:

   current fashions.

   Synonyms: modish, fashionable, stylish

   Antonyms: outmoded, old-fashioned

4. new; present; most recent:

   the current issue of a publication.

5. publicly reported or known:

   a rumor that is current.

6. passing from one to another; circulating, as a coin.
7. Archaic. running; flowing.
8. Obsolete. genuine; authentic.

noun

1. a flowing; flow, as of a river.
2. something that flows, as a stream.
3. a large portion of air, large body of water, etc., moving in a certain direction.
4. the speed at which such flow moves; velocity of flow.
5. Electricity. electric current.
6. a course, as of time or events; the main course; the general tendency.

current

/ ˈkʌrənt /

adjective

1. of the immediate present; in progress

   current events

2. most recent; up-to-date
3. commonly known, practised, or accepted; widespread

   a current rumour

4. circulating and valid at present

   current coins

noun

1. (esp of water or air) a steady usually natural flow
2. a mass of air, body of water, etc, that has a steady flow in a particular direction
3. the rate of flow of such a mass
4. Also calledelectric current physics
   1. a flow of electric charge through a conductor
   2. the rate of flow of this charge. It is measured in amperes I
5. a general trend or drift

   currents of opinion

current

/ kûr′ənt /

1. A flowing movement in a liquid, gas, plasma, or other form of matter, especially one that follows a recognizable course.
2. 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.
3. See also electromagnetismSee Note at electric charge

Derived Forms

• ˈcurrentness, noun
• ˈcurrently, adverb

Other Words From

• current·ly adverb
• non·current adjective
• non·current·ly adverb
• pre·current adjective
• un·current adjective
• un·current·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of current¹

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; -ent ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of current¹

C13: from Old French corant, literally: running, from corre to run, from Latin currere

A 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.

Example Sentences

How have your careers been affected by the current slowdown in the film and TV industry, as well as the broader political climate?

From Los Angeles Times

But it raised the amount of income considered nondiscretionary by 50%, immediately lowering monthly payments, and forgave any interest that accrued while a borrower remained current.

From Los Angeles Times

Typically, someone in Gaetz's situation would keep his current role in Congress until he was confirmed in the new job, but despite the GOP's razor-thin margins in the House, he resigned immediately.

From Salon

The city council will vote tonight on the settlement offer, which includes compensation based on the current value of personal property lost by verified former Section 14 residents and their families.

From Los Angeles Times

"Its current structure simply cannot deliver the change at exponential speed and scale, which is essential to ensure a safe climate landing for humanity," said its signatories.

From BBC

Related Words

• flood
• river
• stream
• tide

When To Use

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.