adj

present

PREHZ-uhnt

adj

Existing or happening right now; current.

"The present situation is far from ideal."

"What is your present address?"

Physically in a particular place at a given time.

"All members were present at the vote."

noun

A gift given to someone.

"She wrapped his birthday present in blue paper."

"They exchanged presents on Christmas morning."

The current moment in time, as opposed to past or future.

"Try to live in the present instead of worrying about tomorrow."

verb

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."

To formally introduce one person to another.

"May I present my colleague, Dr. Reyes."

How to Use Present

Learner’s notes

In 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).

Common pairings

present a report present company at present a birthday present

Word Forms

more present comparative, presented past tense, presents plural, presents plural, presents singular, most present superlative

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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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current nearby contemporary hodiern modern present-day

Antonyms

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

Related Words

absent current derivative close anarchy future former back

Rhymes for present

resent represent omnipresent

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current nearby contemporary hodiern modern present-day antonym(s) of absent slow-acting delayed distracted inattentive