coeval

Everyday

1. (formal) Of the same age, or existing at the same time as something else. tree →
2. (noun, formal) A person or thing of the same age or time as another. tree →

In the lessons

It is a rare formal word used in history, archaeology and science writing: «the cave paintings are coeval with the first farms». It tells the reader two things belong to the same period. Everyday English says «from the same time» or «the same age».

Examples

• The two castles are roughly coeval, both built around 1100. tree →
• The fossil is coeval with the dinosaurs. tree →
• Shakespeare's coevals included Christopher Marlowe. tree →
• Scientists think the rock layers are coeval. tree →
• These tools are coeval with the first farms in Britain. tree →
• The two ancient cities were coeval but far apart. tree →

Note

Very formal, rare. Say «koh-EE-vul». Similar words: «contemporary», «contemporaneous». Built from «co-» (together) + Latin «aevum» (age).