synchronous

Definitions

syn- (together, same) + chron (time) + -ous (having the quality of) = 'happening at the same time.' Unlike the verb synchronize (which makes things match), the adjective just describes things that already coincide in time.

Why It Means This

Synchronous earns most of its everyday use through its opposite, asynchronous. In tech and online education the contrast is sharp: synchronous means live and at the same time — a video call, real-time chat, a scheduled class where everyone is present together. Asynchronous means time-shifted — email, recorded lectures, message boards where the two ends are out of step. If people are interacting in the same moment, it's synchronous; if there's a gap, it's asynchronous.

Common Collocations

• 1.synchronous communication同步通信
• 2.synchronous learning同步学习
• 3.synchronous motor同步电机
• 4.synchronous operation同步操作

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Our team prefers synchronous meetings so everyone can respond in real time.

• 2.

  The course offers synchronous classes as well as recorded lessons.

• 3.

  The two engines must run in synchronous operation to share the load.

Easily Confused

synchronous vs asynchronous — The pair you'll meet most in tech and online learning. Synchronous = at the same time, live (video call, real-time class). Asynchronous = time-shifted, on your own schedule (email, recorded lectures). Flip the meaning by adding a- at the front.