What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
recent
Example
I read a recent article about climate change. [recent: adjective]
Example
The company has undergone some recent changes in management. [recent: adjective]
contemporary
Example
The museum features contemporary art from around the world. [contemporary: adjective]
Example
The author is a contemporary of many famous writers of the 20th century. [contemporary: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recent is more commonly used than contemporary in everyday language. Recent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while contemporary is more specific and often used in the context of art, literature, or music.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between recent and contemporary?
Both recent and contemporary can be used in formal and informal contexts, but contemporary may be considered more formal due to its association with art, literature, and culture.
