today
noun (countable)
UK/təˈdeɪ/US/təˈdeɪ/
this present day; the current day or time
Example Sentences
Today is a good day to start a new habit.
I'm looking forward to all the activities planned for today.
Today marks the beginning of our annual community festival.
Because of a sudden shift in the weather, today might be colder than usual.
Today’s schedule includes back-to-back meetings and a project deadline.
The newspaper’s headline declared, “Today’s Innovations Shape Tomorrow’s Reality,” highlighting the rapid pace of technological change.
Despite facing numerous obstacles, many people remain optimistic about what today may bring, hopeful for unexpected developments or good news.
Although her to-do list for today seemed overwhelming, she tackled each task methodically, ensuring no deadlines or commitments were overlooked.
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adverb
UK/təˈdeɪ/US/təˈdeɪ/
on or during this present day; at the present time
Example Sentences
I'm working from home today because of the train strike.
Could you please send me the updated report later today?
Today, more people rely on digital communication than ever before.
If we finish everything today, we'll have the weekend free.
She decided to start her new exercise routine today, inspired by her recent health check-up.
Today, many industries face unprecedented challenges due to rapidly evolving technology and global competition.
Instant connectivity enables team members around the world to collaborate today on massive projects that once required expensive travel and face-to-face meetings.
Starting today, she promised herself to adopt healthier habits, meticulously planning her meals and incorporating daily exercise to improve her overall wellbeing.
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How to Use
Indicates the present date or the ongoing day period.This word functions as either a noun or an adverb, focusing on events unfolding within the current calendar day. When used as a noun—“Today is my birthday”—it directly identifies the day itself. As an adverb—“I’m traveling today”—it pinpoints timing. In practical settings, you’ll deploy it to schedule tasks, note deadlines, or specify that something is happening within the day’s limits.In more formal contexts, “today” can highlight urgency or relevance: “Today’s workforce needs adaptability,” meaning the present labor market demands flexibility. It can also emphasize immediacy, as in “We must decide today,” underlining a time-sensitive decision. Conversely, in casual conversation, you might say “I’m free today,” letting friends know your availability. Whenever you use it, the essence is clear: referencing the day in progress, distinguishing it from yesterday or tomorrow. You’ll see it in headlines, announcements, or to underscore a short timeframe in which something must be completed. Adjust tone or detail as needed—“by today’s standards,” for instance, places an evaluation in the context of modern norms.
Alternatives
Depending on the context, you might use phrases like “this day,” “the present day,” or “in modern times.” If you wish to emphasize an ongoing period rather than a single date, words like “nowadays,” “currently,” or “at present” can shift the focus slightly. For planned events, you might say “later,” “tonight,” or “this afternoon,” zeroing in on more precise sub-intervals of the day. In academic or historical comparisons, “contemporary society” or “our era” implies an expanded timeline beyond just a single date. Yet none of these terms perfectly replicate the straightforward clarity of “today,” which grounds the conversation firmly in the 24-hour cycle in progress.
Writing
In written form, “today” imparts immediacy and clarity. Whether you’re drafting emails, proposals, or essays, it signals that what you’re referencing belongs to the ongoing day. For news articles or announcements, “published today” denotes fresh, up-to-date information, valuable for highlighting real-time relevance. If you overuse the term in a single piece, however, it can diminish impact. Consider synonyms or relative time markers—“this morning,” “right now,” “tonight”—for variety.When creating formal or academic work, maintain consistency. If you specify dates, pair them with “today” carefully: “As of October 10, we have these results” may suffice without naming “today” explicitly. If an argument hinges on immediate relevance—“These figures were released today”—the term underscores timeliness. In historical or comparative contexts, “today” distinguishes modern situations from past events or future forecasts, sharpening contrasts with phrases like “in the 19th century” or “by 2050.” So, while “today” is succinct and universally understood, balance it with more exact timestamps if needed for precision and variety.
Casual Conversation
In everyday talk, “today” is a staple word that keeps plans grounded in the present. You might inform a colleague, “I’m finishing that project today,” or tell a friend, “Let’s grab coffee today.” It instantly communicates that something’s happening within this 24-hour window—no ambiguity about waiting until tomorrow or next week. When your schedule’s tight, “I can’t do that today” signals a clear boundary.It’s also standard in small talk: “How’s your day so far today?” or “What’s on your agenda today?” These informal checks connect people’s immediate experiences without diving into prior or future details. In casual conversation, you don’t need elaborate phrasing—“Need to buy groceries today,” “Today was rough at work”—the directness is enough. By using “today,” you keep the focus on the here and now, making your speech timely and relevant to short-term concerns. You could sprinkle in qualifiers like “this morning” or “this evening” for added clarity, but “today” alone typically sets expectations for any remaining hours in the same calendar day.
Etymology
The word stems from Old English “tō dæg,” literally meaning “on (this) day,” which evolved into a single term over time. Many Germanic languages have similarly structured compounds for referencing the current day. In Middle English texts, spelling variations appeared—like “to day” or “to-day”—before modern standardization set in. Because daily schedules and immediate references to the present are universal, the meaning of “today” has remained remarkably stable, carrying over from Old English through centuries of linguistic shifts.Historically, as societies formalized calendars and clocks, people relied increasingly on specific markers—like “today”—to plan events, record data, and distinguish the now from earlier or upcoming periods. Widespread literacy and the printing press helped standardize its usage, ensuring everyone recognized “today” as the 24-hour interval in question. Even as time zones and globalized communications complicate the exact definition of a “day” depending on location, the basic notion remains unchanged: “today” points squarely to the sunrise-to-midnight span we currently inhabit.
