coeval
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /kəʊˈiːvəl/
KK: /koʊˈiːvəl/
adjective
Definition
Existing or happening at the same time; being of the same age or period.
Example
The two species are coeval, having evolved together in the same environment.
Conversation
Did you know that some of the oldest trees are coeval with ancient civilizations?
Really? That's fascinating!
Yeah, it’s amazing to think they’ve been around for so long, just like us.
Definitely! It makes you appreciate nature's history even more.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
contemporary
simultaneous
coexisting
Antonyms
ancient
disparate
different
noun
Definition
A person who is from the same time period or age as another; a contemporary.
Example
She found it easy to connect with her coevals at the university.
Conversation
I met someone at the cafe who is my coeval from college.
Oh really? It's always nice to connect with old friends.
Yeah, we talked about all the classes we took together.
Root Explanation
Coeval → It is formed from "co-" (meaning together) and "aevum" (meaning age or era). The word describes things that exist or occur during the same time period or age.
Memory Tip
Think of things that exist 'together' ('co-') in the same 'age' ('aevum') — that's why coeval means contemporary or of the same age.
Visually Confused Words
coecal
cheval
oval
conferval
coal