present
PREHZ-uhnt
Present (adj) means existing or happening right now; current. Example: “The present situation is far from ideal.”
adj
1
Existing or happening right now; current.
"The present situation is far from ideal."
"What is your present address?"
"Is the present owner planning to sell the house this year?"
2
Physically in a particular place at a given time.
"All members were present at the vote."
"Was your sister present at the meeting, or did she send a note?"
"Only three students were present in class because of the snow."
noun
1
A gift given to someone.
"She wrapped his birthday present in blue paper."
"They exchanged presents on Christmas morning."
"I'm still looking for a present for my dad, who has everything."
2
The current moment in time, as opposed to past or future.
"Try to live in the present instead of worrying about tomorrow."
"The present is a good time to start saving a little money."
"Her history lessons cover the past, but the present interests her most."
verb
1
To show, offer, or put forward something for others to see or consider.
"She presented her findings to the board."
"He presented a united front despite his doubts."
"The chef will present the new menu to the guests tonight."
2
To formally introduce one person to another.
"May I present my colleague, Dr. Reyes."
"At the party, Maria presented her cousin to the host."
"Allow me to present our guest speaker, who has travelled a long way."
How to use present
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs an adjective, "happening now" or "physically here"; as a noun, either a gift or the current moment; as a verb, to show or introduce something formally.
Common mistake
Watch the stress: PRES-ent (noun/adjective) vs. pre-SENT (verb).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
present a report
present company
at present
a birthday present
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Word forms
- Plural
- presents
- Third person singular
- presents
- Past tense
- presented
- Comparative
- more present
- Superlative
- most present
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ situation is far from ideal.
Etymology
From Latin praesens, "being before" (in front of, at hand), from prae- ("before") and esse ("to be").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for present
See all rhymes for present →Frequently asked questions
What does “present” mean?
The word “present” means existing or happening right now; current. In plain terms, as an adjective, "happening now" or "physically here"; as a noun, either a gift or the current moment; as a verb, to show or introduce something formally.
How do you pronounce “present”?
“Present” is pronounced PREHZ-uhnt (/ˈpɹɛz.ənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “present” in a sentence?
Here is “present” used in a sentence: “The present situation is far from ideal.”
What is another word for “present”?
Words with a similar meaning to “present” include current, nearby, contemporary, hodiern, modern and present-day.
What is the opposite of “present”?
The opposite of “present” — its antonyms — are antonym(s) of, absent, slow-acting, delayed and distracted.
What part of speech is “present”?
Depending on how it is used, “present” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “present” come from?
The word “present” comes from Latin. From Latin praesens, "being before" (in front of, at hand), from prae- ("before") and esse ("to be").
Is “present” a common word?
“Present” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'present' and 'current'?
Both describe something happening now, and they're often interchangeable. 'Present' tends to point to this exact moment or the era we're living in — the present day, the present situation. 'Current' stresses that something is the latest or most up-to-date version and may soon change. Present leans temporal; current leans 'newest so far.'
What is the opposite of 'present' in this sense?
When 'present' means existing or happening now, its opposites are 'past' and 'future' — the times that came before or are yet to come. If you mean something no longer here, the opposites shift to 'gone,' 'absent,' or 'former.' Context decides which pairing fits the sentence you're writing.
Is the adjective 'present' the same as a 'present' meaning a gift?
No. They're spelled the same but carry unrelated meanings — a classic pair of homonyms. As an adjective, 'present' describes something existing or happening now, as in 'the present moment.' As a noun, a 'present' is a gift you give someone. Only context tells a reader which sense you intend.
What does 'present' mean when describing time?
It refers to right now — the current moment or era, as opposed to what came before or what's still to come. Everyday phrases like 'the present day,' 'at present,' and 'the present situation' all use this sense to mean the time we are living in and experiencing now.
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