modernity
quality of being modern
how modern or up-to-date something seems
the modernity of [something]; a sense/air of modernity
- The clean lines of the building give it a quiet modernity.
- The new lighting adds modernity without destroying the room's historic character.
- Critics admired the modernity of her approach to portrait photography.
- The hotel has a feeling of modernity.
- Glass walls give the house modernity.
modern life and ideas
modern life and modern ideas, especially as they replace older customs
[place/society] embraces/resists modernity; tradition and modernity
- The film shows a family caught between tradition and modernity.
- Many rural communities adopted the conveniences of modernity while preserving local customs.
- For some leaders, railways and public schools became symbols of modernity.
- The town is trying to balance tradition and modernity.
- Mobile phones brought modernity to many remote villages.
modern historical social condition
in academic writing, the period and social system of modern society
[aspect/experience/project] of modernity; modernity and [something]
- Scholars often describe modernity as a break with feudal and religious forms of authority.
- The course examines how colonialism shaped different experiences of modernity.
- Urban sociology has long studied the relationship between modernity and city life.
- The class is about modernity and modern society.
- Base: modernity
- Plural: modernity
between tradition and modernity
1balance of old and new
between old customs and modern life
- The novel follows a young woman caught between tradition and modernity.
- Many families feel caught between tradition and modernity during the festival season.
- The museum presents the city as a place between tradition and modernity.
crisis of modernity
1breakdown of modern values
an academic phrase for the idea that modern society's main beliefs or systems are failing
- The writer saw fascism as part of a wider crisis of modernity.
- The exhibition presents modernist art as a response to the crisis of modernity.
- Debates about climate change are sometimes framed as a crisis of modernity and its idea of endless progress.
high modernity
1confident rational modern planning
an academic term for a very confident form of modern thinking based on science, planning, and progress
- The dam project reflected the optimism of high modernity and its faith in technical expertise.
- Critics of high modernity argue that large plans often ignored local knowledge.
- The city was rebuilt according to the ideals of high modernity.
late modernity
1recent phase of modern society
an academic term for the current or recent stage of modern society
- The book argues that personal identity has become more flexible in late modernity.
- In late modernity, people often face more choice but also more insecurity.
- Her research examines family life under the conditions of late modernity.
liquid modernity
1fluid unstable modern society
an academic idea that modern life has become unstable and constantly changing
- Bauman used the phrase liquid modernity to describe a world of unstable work and fragile social bonds.
- In liquid modernity, people are expected to adapt constantly to changing circumstances.
- The essay applies the concept of liquid modernity to online dating.
the project of modernity
1Enlightenment aim of progress
an academic phrase for the broad modern goal of building society around reason and progress
- Some philosophers argue that the project of modernity remains unfinished.
- The article criticizes the project of modernity for treating nature as something to be controlled.
- For its supporters, the project of modernity promised freedom through reason and science.
the trappings of modernity
1visible signs of modern life
things that make a place or life look modern, such as cars, phones, or tall buildings
- The resort has all the trappings of modernity: fast Wi-Fi, glass towers, and luxury shops.
- Beyond the trappings of modernity, the town still follows a traditional rhythm.
- The village lacked many of the trappings of modernity, but almost everyone had a smartphone.