present
Present (adj) means existing or happening right now; current. Example: “The present situation is far from ideal.”
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.
Watch the stress: PRES-ent (noun/adjective) vs. pre-SENT (verb).
Word forms
more present comparative, presented past tense, presents plural, presents plural, presents singular, most present superlative
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
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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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