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Definition of contemporaneous

contemporaneous

/kənˌtɛmpəˈreɪniəs/
con · tem · po · ra · ne · ous
Adverb:contemporaneously
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contemporaneous Lexical Profile

contemporaneous Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Existing, occurring, or originating during the same period of time.

Example

"The historian relied heavily on contemporaneous letters and diary entries rather than later memoirs."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for contemporaneous
Antonyms
View all antonyms for contemporaneous

Word Nuance & Usage

While 'contemporary' can refer either to things existing at the same past time or to the present modern era, 'contemporaneous' is strictly limited to things existing or occurring during the same period of time (often in the past or in legal and historical contexts, as in 'contemporaneous notes').

• Rhymes for contemporaneous

• Nearby Words

contemplative
contemplatively
contempo
contemporaneous
contemporaneously
contemporarily
contemporary

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-17th century from Latin 'contemporaneus', formed from 'con-' (together) and 'tempus, tempor-' (time), plus the English adjectival suffix '-ous'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Contemporaneous. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/contemporaneous
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