present

PREZ-uhnt/ˈpɹɛzənt/

Verbpresents, presenting, presented

Noun pluralpresents

34 meanings of present

Practice

1
currentadjective
Happening or existing now, at this time.
The present rules do not allow phones in class.
Our present home is smaller than the last one.
UsagePut it before the noun: the present rules.
Similarcurrent, existing, present-day, contemporary, incumbent
Oppositepast, former, future, previous
2
attendingadjective
Being in a place, not away or missing.
Every student was present at the morning assembly.
The doctor was present when the baby was born.
UsageSay was present or present at a place: every student was present.
Similarhere (entry), around
Oppositeabsent, missing, away
Note
3
Saypri-ZENT/pɹiˈzɛnt/UK/pɹɪˈzɛnt/
displayverbtransitive
To show something to people so they can look at it.
She will present her drawings to the class tomorrow.
He presented his passport at the gate.
UsageSay present something to people.
Similarshow, exhibit, display, showcase, unveil
Oppositehide, conceal
Note
4
giftnouncountable
A gift, especially one given for a special occasion, like a birthday.
She wrapped the present in shiny blue paper.
He received many presents on his birthday.
UsageSay a present for someone: a birthday present.
Similargift, offering
5
Saypri-ZENT/pɹiˈzɛnt/UK/pɹɪˈzɛnt/
share findingsverbtransitive
To show or explain an idea, plan, or choices to people so they can think about it.
Like holding up a drawing so everyone can see it and say what they think.
She will present her plan to the whole class tomorrow.
The lawyer presented new facts to the judge.
UsageSay present a plan to people.
Similarput forward, propose, offer
6
time nownoununcountable
The time that is happening now, not the past or the future.
Try to enjoy the present instead of worrying about the future.
For the present, we have enough food to last.
UsageSay the present, but at present means now.
Similarnow, today
Oppositepast, future
7
Saypri-ZENT/pɹiˈzɛnt/UK/pɹɪˈzɛnt/
stage a playverbtransitive
To put on a show or play for people to watch.
The school will present a new play this spring.
They presented the opera to a full house.
UsageOften is proud to present a show.
Similarstage, mount, produce, perform, feature
Note
8
Saypri-ZENT/pɹiˈzɛnt/UK/pɹɪˈzɛnt/
verbtransitive
To give someone a gift or prize, often at a special event.
They presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
The school will present each graduate with a certificate.
UsageSay present someone with a prize, or present a prize to someone.
9
this oneadjective
Being the exact thing or case you are talking about right now.
In the present example, we use only whole numbers.
The present chapter deals with safety rules.
UsageUsed in books and reports: the present chapter.
Similarcurrent
10
Saypri-ZENT/pɹiˈzɛnt/UK/pɹɪˈzɛnt/
host (TV)verbtransitive
To be the host who introduces and guides a TV or radio show.
She will present the morning news show next week.
He presented a popular quiz program for years.
UsageThe person is a presenter.
Similarhost, front, anchor, emcee
11
Saypri-ZENT/pɹiˈzɛnt/UK/pɹɪˈzɛnt/
verbtransitive
To bring a problem or complaint to a court or to someone in charge.
The lawyer will present the case to the judge tomorrow.
They presented their complaint to the city council.
UsageSay present a complaint to someone in charge.
Similarsubmit, lodge, file, bring
Oppositewithdraw
12
pose (problem)verbtransitive
To create or bring about something, often a problem, a risk, a challenge or a chance.
The icy roads present a real danger to drivers this morning.
Moving to a new city presents a chance to make new friends.
UsageOften present a problem or present a chance.
Similarpose, offer, create, provide
Note
13
portrayverbtransitive
To show or describe someone or something as being a certain kind or having a certain quality.
The movie presents the old king as a kind and fair man.
Some news reports present the protest as peaceful, but others do not.
UsageSay present someone as kind or fair.
Similarportray, depict, represent, paint, cast

Less common meanings

14
tense (grammar)noun
The form of a verb used for things happening now, and for habits and facts that are always true.
In English, the present is used to talk about things happening now.
Change the verb from the past tense to the present.
UsageSay in the present or in the present tense.
Oppositepast, future
Note
15
adjective
Paying full attention to what is happening right now.
Like keeping your mind in the room instead of letting it wander off.
She felt calm and present during the meditation class.
A good listener stays present in the conversation.
UsageSay stay present or be fully present.
Similarmindful, attentive, focused, engaged, alert
Oppositedistracted, preoccupied, absentminded
16
Saypri-ZENT/pɹiˈzɛnt/UK/pɹɪˈzɛnt/
show symptomsverbintransitive
To go to a doctor or hospital with a certain symptom or problem.
Many patients present with chest pain during a heart attack.
She presented at the clinic with a high fever.
UsageDoctors say a patient presents with a symptom.
17
Saypri-ZENT/pɹiˈzɛnt/UK/pɹɪˈzɛnt/
hand over billverbtransitive
To hand someone a bill so that it can be paid.
The waiter presented the check at the end of the meal.
They present the invoice once the work is finished.
Similarsubmit, render
18
Saypri-ZENT/pɹiˈzɛnt/UK/pɹɪˈzɛnt/
appear in personverbreflexiveintransitive
To come forward and appear, often in a formal way.
All new employees must present at the front desk on their first day.
Visitors must present themselves at the main gate before entering.
UsageOften present yourself at a place.
Similarappear, report, attend
Note
19
Saypri-ZENT/pɹiˈzɛnt/UK/pɹɪˈzɛnt/
introduceverbtransitive
To formally introduce one person to another.
The ambassador will present the visitors to the king.
She was presented to the committee before the interview.
UsageSay present a person to someone.
Similarintroduce
20
Saypri-ZENT/pɹiˈzɛnt/UK/pɹɪˈzɛnt/
come upverbreflexive
To become available for someone to consider, or to come into someone's mind.
A solution presented itself just as she was about to give up.
The right words did not present themselves until later.
UsageSay a chance or idea presented itself.
Similaroffer, suggest
21
Saypri-ZENT/pɹiˈzɛnt/UK/pɹɪˈzɛnt/
genderverbintransitive
To look or act like a certain gender so other people see you that way.
Some people present as male in some situations and female in others.
They prefer to present femininely at work.
UsageSay present as male or female.
Note
22
neutral voteadjective
Choosing not to vote for or against something, but still counted as being there.
Like saying 'I'm here' without picking a side.
He voted present on the controversial bill.
Two senators chose to vote present instead of yes or no.
UsageUsed in vote present.
Note
23
animal messnouncolloquialendearingeuphemisticcountable
A playful word for poop, especially a mess left by a pet.
The puppy left a present in the middle of the kitchen floor.
She stepped in a present the dog had left on the lawn.
UsagePeople say a pet left a present.
Similardeposit, mess
24
Saypri-ZENT/pɹiˈzɛnt/UK/pɹɪˈzɛnt/
point weaponverbtransitive
To point a gun at someone or hold a weapon ready to fire.
The coach taught me to present the gun to my shoulder slowly.
On the order, the soldiers presented their muskets and fired.
Similaraim, level, point, train
Oppositelower
Note
25
Saypri-ZENT/pɹiˈzɛnt/UK/pɹɪˈzɛnt/
childbirthverbintransitive
Of a baby before or during birth, to lie so that a certain part will come out first.
Babies usually present head first during delivery.
If the baby presents feet first, the doctor may suggest surgery.
Note
26
Saypri-ZENT/pɹiˈzɛnt/UK/pɹɪˈzɛnt/
charge with crimeverbraretransitive
To formally accuse someone of a crime and bring them to 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 Reformation”Here, presented means formally accused and brought before a court.
Note
27
adjectivedated
Quick to act and ready when something urgent happens.
Note
28
noun
The position a soldier holds when showing respect with a weapon.
29
verb
To put a priest forward for a church post by offering them to a bishop.
30
verbslang
In omegaverse stories, to start showing whether you are an alpha, beta, or omega, usually during puberty.
31
adjectiveobsolete
Of a drug or poison, working right away.
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 Burton], “Alteratiues and Corials, corroborating, reſoluing the reliques, and mending the…
32
adjectiveobsolete
Coming at once, with no waiting.
Sign me a present pardon for my brother,
c. 1603, William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”
33
adjectiveobsolete
Paying kind attention and ready to help.
to find a god so present to my prayer
1697, Virgil, “Pastoral 1”
34
verb
To show the sex organs as a sign of being ready to mate, said of a female animal.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of present apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–2, 6, 9, 14–15, 22, 27

From Latin praesens, meaning being present. It came into English through Old French.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

The word ultimately derives from Latin praesens, meaning being present. en.wiktionary.org
The word entered English through Old French. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 3–5, 7–8, 10–13, 16–21, 23–26

From Latin praesentare, meaning to show. It reached English through Old French.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

English present derives from Latin praesentare through Old French. en.wiktionary.org
Latin praesentare means to show. en.wiktionary.org