What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cotemporaneous
Example
The two artists were cotemporaneous, creating their works during the same era. [cotemporaneous: adjective]
Example
The invention of the telephone and the light bulb were cotemporaneous. [cotemporaneous: adjective]
contemporary
Example
The new building has a contemporary design that stands out from the older buildings in the area. [contemporary: adjective]
Example
The contemporary of Mozart was Haydn. [contemporary: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Contemporary is more commonly used than cotemporaneous in everyday language. Contemporary is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while cotemporaneous is less common and more specific.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cotemporaneous and contemporary?
Cotemporaneous is more formal and academic than contemporary, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
