Showing results for "present"

• a variation of present tense.

present

¹ American  

[prez-uhnt] / ˈprɛz ənt /

adjective

1. being, existing, or occurring at this time or now; current.

   increasing respect for the present ruler of the small country.

   Synonyms:

   extant

   Antonyms:

   absent

2. at this time; at hand; immediate.

   articles for present use.

3. Grammar. designating a verb tense, construction, or form used to refer to an action or state occurring at the time of speaking or writing: knows is a present form in He knows that.

4. being with one or others or in the specified or understood place.

   to be present at the wedding.

5. being here.

   Is everyone present?

6. existing or occurring in a place, thing, combination, or the like.

   Carbon is present in many minerals.

7. being actually here or under consideration.

   the present document;

   the present topic.

8. being in the mind; recollected.

   The memories were still present to her mind.

9. focused on or involved in what one is doing at a particular moment; attentive.

   When you’re talking to someone, be present instead of thinking about something else.

10. Obsolete. mentally alert and calm, especially in emergencies.

11. Obsolete. immediate or instant.

    present payment.

---

noun

1. the present time.

   She has one foot in the present and one foot in the future.

2. Grammar. present tense.

3. Law. presents, the present writings, or this document, used in a deed of conveyance, a lease, etc., to denote the document itself.

   Know all men by these presents that . . . .

4. Obsolete. the matter in hand.

idioms

1. at present, at the present time or moment; now.

   There are no job openings here at present.

2. for the present, for now; temporarily.

   For the present, we must be content with matters as they stand.

present ² American  

[pri-zent, prez-uhnt] / prɪˈzɛnt, ˈprɛz ənt /

verb (used with object)

presents, present (3rd person singular) presented, past participle, past presenting present participle

1. to furnish or endow with a gift or the like, especially by formal act.

   to present someone with a gold watch.

   Synonyms:

   donate, bestow

2. to bring, offer, or give, often in a formal or ceremonious way.

   You'll have to present your passport at the airport.

   Synonyms:

   proffer

3. afford or furnish (an opportunity, possibility, etc.).

   Synonyms:

   return, provide, produce

4. to hand over or submit, as a bill or a check, for payment.

   The waiter presented our bill for lunch.

5. to introduce (a person) to another, especially in a formal manner.

   Mrs. Smith, may I present Mr. Jones?

6. to bring before or introduce to the public.

   to present a new play.

7. to come to show (oneself) before a person, at a place, etc.

8. to show or exhibit.

   This theater will present films on a larger screen.

9. to bring forth or render for or before another or others; offer for consideration.

   to present an alternative plan.

   Synonyms:

   introduce

10. to set forth in words; frame or articulate.

    to present arguments.

11. to represent, impersonate, or act, as on the stage.

    Synonyms:

    enact

12. to direct, point, or turn (something) to something or someone.

    He presented his back to the audience.

13. to level or aim (a weapon, especially a firearm).

14. Law.

    1. to bring against, as a formal charge against a person.

    2. to bring formally to the notice of the proper authority, as an offense.

15. British Ecclesiastical. to offer or recommend (a member of the clergy) to the bishop to be granted a benefice.

---

verb (used without object)

presents, present (3rd person singular) presented, past participle, past presenting present participle

1. Medicine/Medical.

   1. (of a fetus) to be visible at the cervix during labor.

      In a normal delivery, the baby’s head presents first.

   2. (of a medical condition) to be evident from the presence of certain symptoms.

      Depression often presents with disturbed sleep or appetite.

   3. (of a patient) to have a certain symptom or medical condition, especially as reported during a medical examination.

      A 22-year-old man presents with shortness of breath.

noun

1. a thing presented as a gift; gift.

   Christmas presents.

   Synonyms:

   gratuity, tip, grant, benefaction, donation, offering

present ¹ British  

verb

1. to introduce (a person) to another, esp to someone of higher rank

2. to introduce to the public

   to present a play

3. to introduce and compere (a radio or television show)

4. to show; exhibit

   he presented a brave face to the world

5. to put forward; submit

   she presented a proposal for a new book

6. to bring or suggest to the mind

   to present a problem

7. to give or award

   to present a prize

8. to endow with or as if with a gift or award

   to present a university with a foundation scholarship

9. to offer formally

   to present one's compliments

10. to offer or hand over for action or settlement

    to present a bill

11. to represent or depict in a particular manner

    the actor presented Hamlet as a very young man

12. to salute someone with (one's weapon) (usually in the phrase present arms )

13. to aim or point (a weapon)

14. to nominate (a clergyman) to a bishop for institution to a benefice in his diocese

15. to lay (a charge, etc) before a court, magistrate, etc, for consideration or trial

16. to bring a formal charge or accusation against (a person); indict

17. (of a grand jury) to take notice of (an offence) from personal knowledge or observation, before any bill of indictment has been drawn up

18. (intr) med to seek treatment for a particular symptom or problem

    she presented with postnatal depression

19. informal (intr) to produce a favourable, etc impression

    she presents well in public

    he presents as harmless but has poisoned his family

20. to appear, esp at a specific time and place

---

noun

1. anything that is presented; a gift

2. to give someone something

   I'll make you a present of a new car

present ² British  

/ ˈprɛzənt /

adjective

1. (prenominal) in existence at the moment in time at which an utterance is spoken or written

2. (postpositive) being in a specified place, thing, etc

   the murderer is present in this room

3. (prenominal) now in consideration or under discussion

   the present topic

   the present author

4. grammar denoting a tense of verbs used when the action or event described is occurring at the time of utterance or when the speaker does not wish to make any explicit temporal reference

5. archaic readily available; instant

   present help is at hand

6. archaic mentally alert; attentive

---

noun

1. the time being; now

2. grammar

   1. the present tense

   2. a verb in this tense

3. at the moment; now

4. for the time being; temporarily

present More Idioms  

1. see all present and accounted for; at present; for the moment (present); no time like the present.

---

Synonym Usage

See give. Present, gift, donation, bonus refer to something freely given. Present and gift are both used of something given as an expression of affection, friendship, interest, or respect. Present is the less formal; gift is generally used of something conferred (especially with ceremony) on an individual, a group, or an institution: a birthday present; a gift to a bride. Donation applies to an important gift, most often of money and usually of considerable size, though the term is often used in speaking of small gifts to or for people who need help: a donation to an endowment fund, to the Red Cross. Bonus applies to something, again usually money, given in addition to what is due, especially to employees who have worked for a long time or particularly well: a bonus at the end of the year.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• presentness
  noun
• self-presented
  adjective
• unpresented
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• presenting
  present
• presented
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• present
  simple
• presents
  simple
• have presented
  perfect
• has presented
  perfect
• am presenting
  progressive
• are presenting
  progressive
• is presenting
  progressive
• have been presenting
  perfect progressive
• has been presenting
  perfect progressive

Past

• presented
  simple
• had presented
  perfect
• was presenting
  progressive
• were presenting
  progressive
• had been presenting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will present
  simple
• will have presented
  perfect
• will be presenting
  progressive
• will have been presenting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of present¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the adjective) from Middle English present(e), presa(u)nt, from Old French present, from Latin praesent-, stem of praesēns “being present,” present participle of praeesse “to be present, be before others, preside, be in charge”; (for the noun) from Middle English present(e), presant “presence (in space or time),” partly derivative of the adjective, partly from Old French; see pre-, essence

Origin of present²

First recorded 1200–50; Middle English noun present(e), presant, from Old French present, originally in phrase en present “in presence”; Middle English verb presenten, present(e), from Old French presenter, from Medieval Latin praesentāre “to give, show, present for approval,” Latin: “to exhibit (to the mind or senses),” derivative of praesēns; see origin at present ¹

Explanation

The word present has multiple meanings, most of which concern giving (a present is a gift) or time (the present is right now). The verb present might mean to deliver something like a speech, or perform something like a play. On formal occasions, when we present someone, we introduce them, usually to a group or to the public. Present might also mean "to submit" or "hand over." In grammar, the present tense expresses actions or states occurring at the time we're speaking of them, that is to say, at this moment.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

present presents presented presenting

The Chinese model makers have denied that their models present security risks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

Older parents present a unique set of financial-planning challenges.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026

In the aftermath, it was claimed clubs did not get the opportunity to present a rounded case because the outline plan was leaked to the media.

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

Analysis conducted after the reaction found that more than 75% of the carbon originally present in the plastic ended up in stable carbonate compounds or liquid organic residues.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026

The headline for a single-column story on slavery was often long and complex: “Northern and Southern Democrats—Southern Control —The Territorial Slavery Question—Its present Position and Future Prospects— Compromise Necessary, &c.”

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

A three-part podcast series about how the rise of AI-generated content is warping our sense of what is real, and the dangers that presents.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026

Once the punishment part has expired, Strachan will only be freed if the parole board decides he no longer presents a threat.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

This inheritance presents a good opportunity to review your investments and your household budget.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

The Senate presents a different but equally dramatic contest.

From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026

“Did you really think Grandma and Grandpa would send us presents, but not you? We’re triplets. That’s how it works.”

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in May presented what he described as Spain’s largest-ever deployment of firefighting equipment ahead of this year’s wildfire season.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

His interest in Murashige, meanwhile, a real-life tactician fictionalized here as an under-the-gun leader presented with myriad problems, poses the question: Did Kurosawa make a film about directing films?

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026

"The government has not provided detailed or substantiated information indicating why Mr al-Doush presented a violent threat to the community through his actions such that detention was strictly necessary," they said.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

The current incarnation, presented by Walsh, has been on air since 2020, when the success of a one-off Christmas special prompted the BBC to commission several more series.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

Then he presented him with a gold medal and a certificate.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Four of the fraud charges involved falsely presenting ashes to women as the remains of their unborn children.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

Kelly, whose presenting career spanned four decades, is perhaps best known for his weekly talk show on UTV from 1989 until 2005.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

The S&P 500 has moved below its 50-day moving average, presenting a strong buying opportunity, according to Yardeni Research and Fundstrat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

Early in his extraordinary new documentary, “Remake,” seasoned filmmaker Ross McElwee reminisces with his young son, Adrian, about their travels together, presenting McElwee’s films at various festivals around the world.

From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2026

“They’re convinced they’re so special that they don’t need to follow the rules other people have to follow,” she said, “like presenting their school records when they enroll in a new school.”

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

Related Words

• cite
• declare
• display
• do
• give
• offer
• perform
• pose
• produce
• raise
• show
• stage
• submit
• suggest