Word
current
Phoneticscur·rent, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɑɹənt/
UK/kˈʌɹənt/
Definitions
01happening now
B1 · Intermediate
adj. happening or existing right now.
adj. belonging to the present time; currently happening or being used.
“The magazine covers current events from all over the world.”
“Under the current administration, tax laws have undergone significant revisions that affect small business owners across the country.”
Pitfall
I am reading a current book.
I am reading a book at the moment.
Use 'current' for situations or states (current events, current job), not usually for a specific action you are doing right now.
Synonyms
02generally accepted
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. commonly used or accepted by most people at this time.
adj. prevalent or generally accepted at the present time; having currency within a specific community.
“That theory is no longer current among modern scientists.”
“The term, though once popular in academic circles, is no longer current in contemporary sociological discourse.”
03flow of water or air
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a steady movement of water or air in a particular direction.
n. the continuous, directed movement of a fluid such as water or gas.
“The strong river current made it difficult to swim to the other side.”
“Oceanographers track deep-sea currents to better understand how heat is distributed across the planet's surface.”
04electricity
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. the flow of electricity through a wire or circuit.
n. the time rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor or space.
“Be careful because the electric current in these wires is very high.”
“The technician measured the current in amperes to ensure the circuit was not overloaded before connecting the new hardware.”
Usage
Usually uncountable when referring to the phenomenon, but countable when referring to specific circuits.
Synonyms
05general trend
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary
n. a general mood or set of ideas that influences a group of people.
n. a general tendency or course of events; a drift of opinion or sentiment.
“There was a strong current of anger among the protesters.”
“A powerful current of nationalism began to move through the country, influencing the outcome of the local elections.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “current” in context.
Verb
01. current flows
“The water current flows faster after heavy rainfall.”
noun + verb
02. current pulls
“Be careful, as the ocean current pulls you away from the beach.”
noun + verb
03. fight current
“The swimmers had to fight the current to reach the shore.”
verb + noun
04. measure current
“The technician used a special tool to measure the electric current.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. electric current
“A metal wire is used to conduct the electric current.”
adj + noun
06. strong current
“The strong current in the river made it dangerous to swim.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. direction of current
“The boat drifted slowly in the direction of the current.”
noun + prep + noun
08. strength of current
“The strength of the current depends on the tide.”
noun + prep + noun
09. against the current
“It is difficult to row a boat against the current.”
10. carried by the current
“The fallen leaves were carried by the current down the stream.”
11. switch off the current
“Always switch off the current before repairing electrical wires.”
Confusables
Actual means real or factual, while current means happening right now.
RememberActual = Fact. Current = Calendar.
Etymology
From Middle English curraunt, borrowed from Old French curant (French courant), present participle of courre (“to run”), from Latin currere (“to run”) (present participle currens). Doublet of courant.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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