modernos

Modernos is the plural form of moderno in Spanish and Portuguese, functioning as both an adjective meaning "modern" and a noun referring to people associated with modern ideas or lifestyles. In everyday speech, los modernos or os modernos may denote urban, secular, or progressive segments of society, often contrasted with traditional or conservative groups. The exact connotation depends on context and tone, ranging from neutral description to praise or critique of contemporary tastes or values.

Etymology: from Latin modernus, through Old French moderne, into the Romance languages.

In cultural and scholarly usage, the term can describe adherents of modernity or modernist currents, particularly in analyses of social change, art, and literature. In Latin American and Iberian contexts, references to "modernos" may appear in discussions of generations or schools of thought that champion innovation over tradition, though this usage is less standardized than terms like modernismo or modernity.

In contemporary use, moderno and moderno also label objects, architectures, or practices as belonging to the present era or following current trends. When used as a label for people, it is often informal and its value judgment depends on who uses it and for what purpose.

Because it is a common adjective in two languages, the term "modernos" has no fixed political or cultural identity on its own, but it appears in sociolinguistic and cultural discussions as a flexible descriptor of modern life and its proponents.