# current

/ˈkɑɹənt/ (US) · /kˈʌɹənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/current
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. happening now

adjective · CEFR B1

happening or existing right now.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. generally accepted

adjective · CEFR B2

commonly used or accepted by most people at this time.

For teachers: 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- That theory is no longer current among modern scientists.
- The term, though once popular in academic circles, is no longer current in contemporary sociological discourse.

### 3. flow of water or air

noun · CEFR B1

a steady movement of water or air in a particular direction.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. electricity

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the flow of electricity through a wire or circuit.

For teachers: 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.

### 5. general trend

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a general mood or set of ideas that influences a group of people.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The strong river current makes swimming dangerous here.
- Ocean currents play a major role in regulating the planet's climate by moving warm water toward the poles.
- The technician measured the electrical current to ensure the circuit could handle the load without overheating the sensitive internal components.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.