present

Relating to now, for the time being; current.

Adjective

  1. Relating to now, for the time being; current.
    • The barbaric practice continues to the present day.
    • The present manager has been here longer than the last one.
    • up to the present day
  2. Located in the immediate vicinity.
    • Only half of all present members were present at the meeting.
    • Is there a doctor present?
    • Several people were present when the event took place.
  3. Having an immediate effect (of a medicine, poison etc.); fast-acting.
    • Amongſt this number of Cordials and Alteratiues, J doe not find a more preſent remedy, then a cup of wine, or ſtrong drinke, and if it be ſoberly and opportunely vſed. - 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert...
  4. Not delayed; immediate; instant.
    • Sign me a present pardon for my brother, - c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac...
    • An ambassador[…]desires a present audience. - 1636, Philip Massinger, The Bashful Lover:
  5. Ready; quick in emergency.
    • a present wit
  6. Favorably attentive; propitious.
    • to find a god so present to my prayer - 1697, Virgil, “Pastoral 1”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
  7. Relating to something a person is referring to in the very context, with a deictic use similar to the demonstrative adjective this.
    • Near-synonyms: this (determiner), this (pronoun), current
    • in the present study; the present article; the present results

    Synonyms: this current

  8. Attentive; alert; focused.
    • Sorry, I was distracted just now, I'll try to be more present from now on.
  9. Neither for or against (used in voting to express abstention)

Origin

From Middle English present, from Old French present, from Latin praesent-, praesens, present participle of praeesse (“to be present”), from Latin prae- (“pre-”) + esse (“to be”).

Forms

more present most present præsent ps.

Synonyms

current close nearby presentaneous instantaneous audient heedful reckful contemporary hodiern modern present present-day

Antonyms

antonym(s) of absent slow-acting delayed distracted inattentive future past

Related

presence the present gift

Derived

all-present all present and correct at present at the present time corsepresent hyperpresent multipresent nonpresent omnipresent overpresent present company excepted presentism presentist presently presentness present participial telepresent unpresent copresent ever-present historical present historic present in present net present value

Noun Entry 2

  1. A gift, especially one given for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, graduations, weddings, or any other special occasions.
    • wedding present
    • birthday present
    • Oh! Thank you for the presents! How considerate of you!
  2. The position of a soldier in presenting arms.
    • The platoon stands at present.
    • He was at present near the headquarters gates.
  3. poo; feces
    • I think our toddler's just left us a little present in his diaper...
    • She has to deal with her cats' presents in the litterboxes on a daily basis, and she doesn't mind one bit.

Origin

From Middle English presenten, from Old French presenter, from Latin praesentāre (“to show”), from praesent-, praesens, present participle of praeesse (“be in front of”).

Forms

presents præsent ps.

Derived

Christmas present compresent presentless pressie push present

Noun Entry 3

  1. The current moment or period of time.
  2. The present tense.

Forms

presents præsent ps.

Synonyms

now

Derived

dramatic present ethnographic present for the present literary present narrative present Narten present no time like the present present-day presentive presentless specious present there's no time like the present

Verb Entry 4

  1. To bring (someone) into the presence of (a person); to introduce formally.
    • to present an envoy to the king
  2. To appear or represent oneself outwardly.
    • With your shabby attire, you do not present well as a prospective investment banking associate!
  3. To nominate (a member of the clergy) for an ecclesiastical benefice; to offer to the bishop or ordinary as a candidate for institution.
  4. To offer (a problem, complaint) to a court or other authority for consideration.
  5. To charge (a person) with a crime or accusation; to bring before court.
    • In the diocese of Gloucester in 1548 two inhabitants of Slimbridge were presented for saying that holy oil was ‘of no virtue but meet to grease sheep’. - 1971, Sir Keith Vivian Thomas, “3. The Impact of the...
  6. To come forward, appear in a particular place or before a particular person, especially formally.
    • Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the lord. - 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Job 1:6:
  7. To put (something) forward in order for it to be seen; to show, exhibit.
    • So ladies in romance assist their knight, / Present the spear, and arm him for the fight. - 1712 May, [Alexander Pope], “The Rape of the Locke. An Heroi-comical Poem.”, in Miscellaneous Poems and Translations. […],...
    • Note: The offensive team must present a legal formation both before and after a shift. - 2020, NFL rule 7 section 4 article 7https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-video-rulebook/illegal-shift/
  8. To make clear to one's mind or intelligence; to put forward for consideration.
    • I do begin to realize that the matter must be presented in such a way as may interest the reader. - 1927, Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, “II. The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier”, in The Case Book of Sherlock...
    • Libertarian paternalism is the view that, because the way options are presented to citizens affects what they choose, society should present options in a way that “nudges” our intuitive selves to make choices that are...
  9. To put on, stage (a play etc.).
    • The theater is proud to present the Fearless Fliers.
  10. To point (a firearm) at something, to hold (a weapon) in a position ready to fire.
  11. To offer oneself for mental consideration; to occur to the mind.
    • Well, one idea does present itself.
  12. To come to the attention of medical staff, especially with a specific symptom.
    • The patient presented with insomnia.
    • Symptoms typically present in early childhood.

Forms

presents presenting presented præsent ps.

Derived

malpresent mispresent presentability presentable present arms presentative presentee presentive presentment represent

Verb form of, participle

  1. simple past and past participle of presend

Origin

Etymology tree English presend English -t English present From presend + -t.

Forms

præsent ps.