modular

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UK/ˈmɒdjʊlə(ɹ)/Atlantic Canada, US/ˈmɑd͡ʒəlɚ/Boston, Canada, Maine/ˈmɒd͡ʒəlɚ/

adjective

Consisting of separate modules; especially where each module performs or fulfills some specified function and could be replaced by a similar module for the same function, independently of the other modules.

Similar
standard
Opposite
monolithic
OriginProto-Indo-European *h₂élisder.? ← English module ← French module →
CommonScrabble 10
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Meanings

adjectivemodular (not comparable)
  1. not comparableConsisting of separate modules; especially where each module performs or fulfills some specified function and could be replaced by a similar module for the same function, independently of the other modules.

    It is hoped that a competition to develop small modular reactors (SMRs) will drive billions of pounds of investment into the technology, which the government hopes will be cheaper and quicker to build than traditional large nuclear power plants.

    2023 July 18, Joe Middleton, “Shapps announces £157m in grants at launch of new UK nuclear body”, in The Guardian

    Antonyms: monolithic

  2. not comparablemathematicsOf or relating to a module or modules.
  3. not comparableRelating to mode or modulation.

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveConsisting of separate modules; especially where each module performs or fulfills some specified function and could be replaced by a similar module for the same function, independently of the other modules.

Opposite
monolithic

More synonyms by meaning

adjectiveconstructed with standardized units or dimensions allowing flexibility and variety in use

Similar
standard
Also see
standard

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*med-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*médos
  3. Proto-Italic*medos
  4. Latinmodus
  5. Latinmodulu
  6. Frenchmodule
  7. Englishmodule
  8. Proto-Indo-European*h₂el-
  9. Proto-Indo-European*h₂élisder.?
  10. Englishmodular

From module + -ar.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian модулен
  • модулен (modulen)of or relating to a module or modules
Czech modulární
  • modulárníof or relating to a module or modules
Dutch modulair
  • modulairof or relating to a module or modules
Finnish moduuli-, modulaarinen
  • moduuli-of or relating to a module or modules
  • modulaarinenof or relating to a module or modules
French modulaire
  • modulaireof or relating to a module or modules
German modular
  • modularof or relating to a module or modules
Greek δομοστοιχειωτός, δομοστοιχειακός
  • δομοστοιχειωτός (domostoicheiotós)of or relating to a module or modules
  • δομοστοιχειακός (domostoicheiakós)of or relating to a module or modules
Hebrew פִּרְקָנִי, מוֹדוּלָרִי
  • פִּרְקָנִי (pirkaní)of or relating to a module or modules
  • מוֹדוּלָרִי (modulári)of or relating to a module or modules
Latin modulāris
  • modulārisof or relating to a module or modules
Polish modułowy
  • modułowyof or relating to a module or modules
Portuguese modular
  • modularof or relating to a module or modules
Russian модульный
  • модульный (modulʹnyj)of or relating to a module or modules
Swedish modul-
  • modul-of or relating to a module or modules
Cite this entry
APA

modular. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/modular

MLA

“modular.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/modular. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “modular,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/modular.

Source: modular on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.