presence
9 synonyms and 1 antonym for presence, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The fact or state of being in a particular place.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use presence
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a strong presence
in the presence of
stage presence
Etymology
From Old French presence, from Latin praesentia, "a being present."
Full origin of presence →Frequently asked questions
What does “presence” mean?
The word “presence” means the fact or state of being in a particular place. In plain terms, being somewhere physically, or having a striking, attention-grabbing quality about you.
How do you pronounce “presence”?
“Presence” is pronounced PREHZNS (/ˈpɹɛz(ə)ns/ in IPA).
How do you use “presence” in a sentence?
Here is “presence” used in a sentence: “Her presence at the meeting reassured everyone.”
What part of speech is “presence”?
“Presence” is a noun.
Where does the word “presence” come from?
The word “presence” comes from Latin. From Old French presence, from Latin praesentia, "a being present.".
Is “presence” a common word?
“Presence” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “presence” have?
“Presence” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the fact or state of being in a particular place.
What is the difference between presence and presents?
They sound alike but mean different things. Presence is the state of being somewhere, as in 'her presence at the meeting.' Presents, with a t, are gifts, or the verb meaning to give or show something. If you mean being in a place, the word you want is always presence.
What is the opposite of presence?
The clearest opposite is absence — the state of not being in a place. Where presence means someone or something is there, absence means they are missing or away. Related opposites include nonattendance and, depending on the context, distance or remoteness.
What does it mean to have presence?
Beyond simply being somewhere, 'having presence' describes a person whose manner commands attention — often called stage presence or a commanding presence. It suggests a confidence and impact that make others notice them, even in a crowded room. This sense grows out of the basic idea of being strongly, noticeably there.
