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today

adv. · n.
US //təˈdeɪ// UK //tədˈeɪ// to·day
  1. 1 on this day (adv.)
    A1 Beginner

    on the current day or date.

    on the present day; during the current twenty-four-hour period.

    Example

    I have a lot of work to finish today before I can go home.

    Example

    The results of the national election are expected to be announced today, following a record-breaking turnout at the polls.
    • this day
  2. 2 nowadays (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    at the present time or in the modern world.

    in the current era or contemporary period; used to contrast with the past.

    Example

    Many people work from home today because of better technology.

    Example

    Today, researchers are increasingly focused on sustainable energy solutions to mitigate the long-term effects of climate change.
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  1. 3 the current day (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    this day or the present time.

    the present day or the current period of time. Functions as a noun when acting as a subject or object.

    Example

    Today is the first day of the summer holidays.

    Example

    Today marks the tenth anniversary of the company's founding, a milestone celebrated by all original employees.
    • the present
  2. 4 the present era (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the modern world or the times we live in now.

    the contemporary era or the current state of affairs in society.

    Example

    The youth of today face different challenges than their parents did.

    Example

    The leaders of today must navigate a complex geopolitical landscape that was unimaginable only a few decades ago.
    • the past
Origin

From Middle English today, to-daie, todæig, from Old English tōdæġ, tō dæġe (“today”, literally “on [the/this] day, [this] day forward”), equivalent to to + day. Compare Saterland Frisian däälich (“today”), Dutch vandaag (“today”), Old Saxon hindag (“today”, literally “[this] day forward”), German Low German vandage, vandaag (“today”), Swedish i dag, idag (“today”).

Idioms2 entries

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