Contemporarily Meaning: Definition and Examples

Art and Culture

• Contemporary art refers to art created in the late 20th century and into the 21st century, often reflecting current issues.
• In literature, contemporary writers focus on modern themes, using language and styles that resonate with today’s readers.
• The contemporary music scene is influenced by various genres, fusing traditional elements with modern sounds, making the art form dynamic.

Philosophy

• Philosophers often discuss contemporary issues such as technology and ethics, examining their impact on society.
• Debates about what it means to live in a contemporary world involve questions about identity, values, and progress.
• The concept of time in philosophy has evolved, with contemporary thinkers exploring how our understanding of the present shapes our future.

Technology

• In tech, contemporary innovations include artificial intelligence and virtual reality, which are changing how we interact with the world.
• Contemporary software development embraces agile practices, allowing for rapid changes and improvements.
• Modern smartphones represent a contemporary merging of communication, photography, and entertainment, reflecting today’s needs.

Education

• Contemporary education emphasizes critical thinking and collaboration, preparing students for a modern workforce.
• Online learning is a contemporary method of education, allowing students to access courses from anywhere in the world.
• The integration of technology in classrooms is a contemporary trend, fostering digital literacy among students.

Main points about word origin

• The word comes from Latin, where 'con' means 'with' and 'temporalis' refers to 'time'.
• It first appeared in English in the late 19th century, emphasizing events or people living or happening together.
• The prefix 'con-' suggests a sense of togetherness, which reflects the word's meaning.

The word 'contemporarily' derives from the adjective 'contemporary,' which originates from the late 16th century, coming from the Latin word 'contemporarius,' meaning 'of the same time.' The prefix 'con-' means 'together with' or 'at the same time,' while 'tempor' is derived from 'tempus,' meaning 'time.' Over centuries, the usage of 'contemporary' evolved to describe people or things existing, occurring, or originating during the same time period, particularly in the arts and culture. The adverb form, 'contemporarily,' emerged as a way to express actions or states of being that relate to the current or modern context. As society progressed into the 20th and 21st centuries, the term became entrenched in discussions of modernity and current trends, often appearing in discourse about art, music, literature, and social issues.