What does "today" mean?
The current day or date.
Today
/təˈdeɪ/ adj, adv, noun, slang
adj, adv, noun, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The current day or date.
- Grammar: today is listed as adj, adv, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: as of now, as things are, at present, at this juncture.
- Useful contrasts: erstwhile, german history, quondam.
- Usage evidence: Today is June 18th and it is Muiriel's birthday!
How to use "today"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "today" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "today" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "today" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "today" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "today" is acting as adj, adv, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "as of now" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "today", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The current day or date. countable, uncountable
"Today is the day we'll fix this once and for all."
- 2 the day that includes the present moment (as opposed to yesterday or tomorrow) wordnet
- 3 The 24-hour period beginning at 5 or 6 a.m. or sunrise of the current day. countable, informal, uncountable
- 4 the present time or age wordnet
- 5 The present era; nowadays. countable, uncountable
"This is the sporty jacket for today's modern man on the go."
Adjective
- 1 Current; up to date. informal, not-comparable
"Actually, it's more like the blues. It's pop blues. I feel it's very American. It's very today. It's what people respond to today."
Adverb
- 1 On the current day or date. not-comparable
"I want this done today."
- 2 In the current era; nowadays; these days. not-comparable
"In the 1500s, people had to do things by hand, but today we have electric can openers."
- 3 On the day of a recurring cycle or event which is currently happening. informal, not-comparable
"We used to prepare everything today, but now we split it over two days."
Adverb
- 1 in these times wordnet
- 2 on this day as distinct from yesterday or tomorrow wordnet
Synonyms
All synonyms as of nowas things areat presentat this junctureat this momentat this point
Example
"Today is June 18th and it is Muiriel's birthday!"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "today"?
Common synonyms include: as of now, as things are, at present, at this juncture, at this moment, at this point.
How do you use "today" in a sentence?
Today is June 18th and it is Muiriel's birthday!
How do you pronounce "today"?
Pronounced /təˈdeɪ/.
Etymology
From Middle English today, to-daie, todæig, from Old English tōdæġ, tō dæġe (“today”, literally “on [the/this] day, [this] day forward”), equivalent to to + day. Compare Saterland Frisian däälich (“today”), Dutch vandaag (“today”), Old Saxon hindag (“today”, literally “[this] day forward”), German Low German vandage, vandaag (“today”), Swedish i dag, idag (“today”).