Word
nowadays
Phoneticsnowa·days
US/ˈnaʊəˌdeɪz/
UK/nˈaʊədˌeɪz/
Definition
n. at the present time, especially when you are comparing it to the past. You use it to talk about how things are different now.
n. at the present time or in the current era, typically used to contrast current circumstances with those of a previous period.
Examples
“Nowadays, most people use their phones to pay for things.”
“Nowadays, it is much easier to work from home than it was ten years ago.”
“While traditional manufacturing once dominated the local economy, most residents nowadays find employment in the burgeoning technology and service sectors.”
Examples
simple
“Nowadays, most people use their phones to pay for things.”
contextual
“Nowadays, it is much easier to work from home than it was ten years ago.”
complex
“While traditional manufacturing once dominated the local economy, most residents nowadays find employment in the burgeoning technology and service sectors.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “nowadays” in context.
Verb
01. exist nowadays
“Many traditional crafts no longer exist nowadays because of mass production.”
noun + verb
02. happen nowadays
“Such incidents rarely happen nowadays thanks to improved safety regulations.”
noun + verb
Noun
03. children nowadays
“Many children nowadays spend more time playing video games than playing outside.”
noun + noun
04. life nowadays
“Life nowadays is much faster and more stressful than it was fifty years ago.”
noun + noun
05. people nowadays
“Young people nowadays are much more comfortable using digital technology than their parents.”
noun + noun
06. society nowadays
“In our society nowadays, we rely heavily on instant communication to stay in touch.”
noun + noun
Usage
Typically functions as a sentence adverb, appearing at the beginning or end of a clause to provide temporal context.
Pitfall
In nowadays, people travel more.
Nowadays, people travel more.
Nowadays is an adverb, not a noun; it should not be preceded by a preposition like 'in'.
Real-World Examples
“Nowadays everything is about numbers, everyone tells players you have to assist, you have to score goals.” “I think you see far more working-class actors in TV and film nowadays than you did back in the 80s, which is good.” Etymology
From now + adays.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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 C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/nowadays