How to Pronounce Modern

To pronounce "modern", say MOD-ern — 2 syllables, IPA /ˈmɒd(ə)n/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

modern

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying modern, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

2

Syllables

6

Letters

/ˈmɒd(ə)n/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “modern”

"modern" has 2 syllables: mod-ern. It rhymes with ultramodern and postmodern, if that helps it stick.

What does modern mean?

noun

  1. Someone who lives in modern times.

adjective

  1. Pertaining to a current or recent time and style; not ancient.

    “Our online interactive game is a modern approach to teaching about gum disease.  Although it was built in the 1600s, the building still has a very modern look.”

  2. (history) Pertaining to the modern period (c.1800 to contemporary times), particularly in academic historiography.

Synonyms

contemporarycurrent

Antonyms

ancientdatedformerhistoricaloldold-fashioned

Hear “modern” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with modern

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

ultramodernpostmodernpremodern

Related words

modernisticultramodernstate-of-the-artcontemporaryadvancedup-to-dateinnovativenew

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "modern"?▾

"Modern" has 2 syllables: mod · ern.

What is the IPA transcription of "modern"?▾

The IPA transcription of "modern" is /ˈmɒd(ə)n/.

What does "modern" mean?▾

Modern: Someone who lives in modern times.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “modern” in the full dictionary →