How to Pronounce Contemporary

To pronounce "contemporary", say CONT-emp-or-ary — 4 syllables, IPA /kənˈtɛm.p(ə).ɹi/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

contemporary

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Accent

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4

Syllables

12

Letters

/kənˈtɛm.p(ə).ɹi/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “contemporary”

"contemporary" has 4 syllables: cont-emp-or-ary. It rhymes with extraordinary and contrary, if that helps it stick.

What does contemporary mean?

noun

  1. Someone or something living at the same time, or of roughly the same age as another.

    “Cervantes was a contemporary of Shakespeare.”

  2. Something existing at the same time.

adjective

  1. From the same time period, coexistent in time.
  2. Modern, of the present age.

Synonyms

contemporaneouscurrent

Antonyms

anachronisticarchaiccoming

Words that rhyme with contemporary

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

extraordinarycontrarysanctuarysolitaryarbitrarywaryordinarytarryemissarycarryancillaryairy

Related words

contemporaneouscoevalsynchronoussynchronicsynchronalmodernpresent-daycurrent

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "contemporary"?▾

"Contemporary" has 4 syllables: cont · emp · or · ary.

What is the IPA transcription of "contemporary"?▾

The IPA transcription of "contemporary" is /kənˈtɛm.p(ə).ɹi/.

What does "contemporary" mean?▾

Contemporary: Someone or something living at the same time, or of roughly the same age as another.

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