Word
modernity
Phoneticsmoder·ni·ty
US/mɑˈdɝnəti/
UK/mˈɒdənɪti/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the condition of being modern or having new ideas and styles. It describes the way of life and the culture of the present time compared to the past.
n. the quality or condition of being modern; the state of contemporary life and culture as distinct from traditional or pre-industrial eras.
Examples
“The city's architecture is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity.”
“Many developing nations struggle to balance the rapid push toward modernity with the preservation of their cultural heritage.”
“Sociologists often define modernity not just by technological advancement, but by a fundamental shift in how individuals perceive time, authority, and their own place within a globalised society.”
Examples
simple
“The city's architecture is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity.”
contextual
“Many developing nations struggle to balance the rapid push toward modernity with the preservation of their cultural heritage.”
complex
“Sociologists often define modernity not just by technological advancement, but by a fundamental shift in how individuals perceive time, authority, and their own place within a globalised society.”
Usage
Typically used in the singular; often contrasted with 'tradition' or 'antiquity'.
Real-World Examples
“The earliest guidebooks had included descriptions of places, but with the march of modernity, travelers could see photos of sites, contact guides and reserve accommodations in advance, and share information in online forums.” “For many Muslim reformers, Japan represented a non-Western model of modernity.” Etymology
From modern + -ity, a calque of Latin modernitās.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-1
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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