English Reference

Word

today

Phoneticsto·day, stress on the second syllable

US/təˈdeɪ/

UK/tədˈeɪ/

Definitions

01on this day

A1 · Beginner

adv. on the current day or date.

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

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

“The results of the national election are expected to be announced today, following a record-breaking turnout at the polls.”

Synonyms

this day

02nowadays

B1 · Intermediate

adv. at the present time or in the modern world.

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

“Many people work from home today because of better technology.”

“Today, researchers are increasingly focused on sustainable energy solutions to mitigate the long-term effects of climate change.”

03the current day

A1 · Beginner Uncountable noun

n. this day or the present time.

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

“Today is the first day of the summer holidays.”

“Today marks the tenth anniversary of the company's founding, a milestone celebrated by all original employees.”

Synonyms

the present

04the present era

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. the modern world or the times we live in now.

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

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

“The leaders of today must navigate a complex geopolitical landscape that was unimaginable only a few decades ago.”

Synonyms

the presentmodernity

Antonyms

the past

Etymology

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”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Idioms

Grammar

This entry

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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224EikenEikenTest 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.Grade 3
Frequency
Very common
Level
A1 · BeginnerOxford
Updated

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