adv
Common
presently
PREH-zuhnt-lee
Presently (adv) means Soon; before long. Example: “The doctor will be with you presently.”
adv
1
Soon; before long.
"The doctor will be with you presently."
"Presently all was quiet again."
"‘I shall presently be getting a call to tell me of that.’"
— Raymond Chandler, Farewell (1940)
"The train will depart presently, so please take your seats."
"Presently, a small boy appeared at the door with a message."
2
At this time; currently.
"She is presently working from home."
"The library is presently closed for repairs to the roof."
"What are you presently reading, and would you recommend it?"
How to use presently
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "soon" or "right now," depending on context — the meaning has shifted over time.
Common mistake
Because both meanings are common, "presently" can be ambiguous; if clarity matters, use "currently" or "soon" instead.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more presently
- Superlative
- most presently
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The doctor will be with you _____.
Etymology
From Middle English presently; equivalent to present + -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for presently
gently
recently
fluently
urgently
silently
intently
patently
decently
currently
fervently
patiently
evidently
See all rhymes for presently →
Frequently asked questions
What does “presently” mean?
The word “presently” means soon; before long. In plain terms, either "soon" or "right now," depending on context — the meaning has shifted over time.
How do you pronounce “presently”?
“Presently” is pronounced PREH-zuhnt-lee (/ˈpɹɛzəntli/ in IPA).
How do you use “presently” in a sentence?
Here is “presently” used in a sentence: “The doctor will be with you presently.”
What part of speech is “presently”?
“Presently” is an adverb.
Is “presently” a common word?
“Presently” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “presently” have?
“Presently” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: soon; before long.
Does presently mean now or soon?
Presently has two accepted meanings: it can mean soon or before long, or it can mean at this time, currently. Because both senses are common, the word can be ambiguous, so context is needed to tell whether something is happening now or about to happen.
What is the difference between presently and currently?
Currently unambiguously means at this time, while presently can mean either currently or soon, depending on regional usage and context. Many careful writers prefer currently specifically to avoid the ambiguity presently can create.
Is it correct to say I will see you presently?
Yes, this is a traditional and correct use of presently in its soon sense, meaning the person will be seen before long. This usage is more common in formal or older-fashioned English.
