synchronous

What does “synchronous” mean?

adjective.existing or occurring at the same time.

SAT Usage

this term often appears in passages related to science, technology, or communication, emphasizing coordination and simultaneous events. It highlights the importance of timing and synchronization, distinguishing it from terms like "concurrent," which may not convey the same level of coordination or intentionality in timing.

Common Confusions

Synchronous implies coordination and simultaneous occurrence, while concurrent usually suggests events that happen at the same time without necessarily being coordinated or related in purpose.

Example Sentences

• The two clocks were not synchronous and showed different times.

Word Parts: How to Remember “synchronous”

Break “synchronous” into its parts: syn- (together) + -chron- (time). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: syn- together (Greek)
• Root: -chron- time (Greek)