What does "present" mean?
The current moment or period of time.
Present
/ˈpɹɛzənt/ adj, noun, verb, slang
adj, noun, verb, slang ·Top 500 ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The current moment or period of time.
- Grammar: present is listed as adj, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: accessible, accommodate, accompanying, accord.
- Useful contrasts: absent, antonym(s) of, delayed.
- Usage evidence: I would like to give him a present for his birthday.
How to use "present"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "present" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "present" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "present" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "present" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "present" is acting as adj, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "accessible" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "present", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The current moment or period of time.
- 2 A gift, especially one given for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, graduations, weddings, or any other special occasions.
"wedding present"
- 3 a verb tense that expresses actions or states at the time of speaking wordnet
- 4 The present tense.
- 5 The position of a soldier in presenting arms.
"The platoon stands at present."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 something presented as a gift wordnet
- 7 poo; feces colloquial, endearing, euphemistic
"I think our toddler's just left us a little present in his diaper..."
- 8 the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech wordnet
Verb
- 1 To bring (someone) into the presence of (a person); to introduce formally.
"to present an envoy to the king"
- 2 simple past and past participle of presend form-of, participle, past
- 3 bring forward and present to the mind wordnet
- 4 To appear or represent oneself outwardly. intransitive
"With your shabby attire, you do not present well as a prospective investment banking associate!"
- 5 recognize with a gesture prescribed by a military regulation; assume a prescribed position wordnet
Show 29 more definitions
- 6 To nominate (a member of the clergy) for an ecclesiastical benefice; to offer to the bishop or ordinary as a candidate for institution. transitive
- 7 cause to come to know personally wordnet
- 8 To offer (a problem, complaint) to a court or other authority for consideration. transitive
- 9 formally present a debutante, a representative of a country, etc. wordnet
- 10 To charge (a person) with a crime or accusation; to bring before court. archaic, transitive
"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’."
- 11 deliver (a speech, oration, or idea) wordnet
- 12 To come forward, appear in a particular place or before a particular person, especially formally. reflexive
"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the lord."
- 13 present somebody with something, usually to accuse or criticize wordnet
- 14 To put (something) forward in order for it to be seen; to show, exhibit. transitive
"So ladies in romance assist their knight, / Present the spear, and arm him for the fight."
- 15 represent abstractly, for example in a painting, drawing, or sculpture wordnet
- 16 To make clear to one's mind or intelligence; to put forward for consideration. transitive
"I do begin to realize that the matter must be presented in such a way as may interest the reader."
- 17 perform (a play), especially on a stage wordnet
- 18 To put on, stage (a play etc.). transitive
"The theater is proud to present the Fearless Fliers."
- 19 give an exhibition of to an interested audience wordnet
- 20 To point (a firearm) at something, to hold (a weapon) in a position ready to fire. transitive
- 21 give as a present; make a gift of wordnet
- 22 To offer oneself for mental consideration; to occur to the mind. reflexive
"Well, one idea does present itself."
- 23 give, especially as an honor or reward wordnet
- 24 To come to the attention of medical staff, especially with a specific symptom. intransitive
"The patient presented with insomnia."
- 25 hand over formally wordnet
- 26 To appear (in a specific way) for delivery (of a fetus); to appear first at the mouth of the uterus during childbirth. intransitive
- 27 offer for others to consider wordnet
- 28 To appear or represent oneself (as having a certain gender). intransitive
"At that time, Elbe was presenting as a man."
- 29 To act as presenter on (a radio, television programme etc.). transitive
"Anne Robinson presents "The Weakest Link"."
- 30 To give a gift or presentation to (someone). transitive
"She was presented with an honorary degree for her services to entertainment."
- 31 To deliver (something abstract) as though as a gift; to offer. transitive
"I presented my compliments to Lady Featherstoneshaw."
- 32 To hand over (a bill etc.) to be paid. transitive
- 33 To display one's female genitalia in a way that signals to others that one is ready for copulation. Also referred to as lordosis behaviour. intransitive
- 34 In omegaverse fiction, to have one's secondary sex (alpha, omega, or beta) become apparent, typically at puberty. slang
"Sherlock’s gender performance itself remains unchanged, with the exception of the hormonal changes he goes through after presenting as an omega."
Adjective
- 1 Relating to now, for the time being; current.
"The barbaric practice continues to the present day."
- 2 Located in the immediate vicinity.
"Only half of all present members were present at the meeting."
- 3 Having an immediate effect (of a medicine, poison etc.); fast-acting. obsolete
"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."
- 4 Not delayed; immediate; instant. obsolete
"Sign me a present pardon for my brother,"
- 5 Ready; quick in emergency. dated
"a present wit"
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 Favorably attentive; propitious. obsolete
"to find a god so present to my prayer"
- 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"
- 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)
Adjective
- 1 temporal sense; intermediate between past and future; now existing or happening or in consideration wordnet
- 2 being or existing in a specified place wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"I would like to give him a present for his birthday."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "present"?
Common synonyms include: accessible, accommodate, accompanying, accord, accounted, accredit.
How do you use "present" in a sentence?
I would like to give him a present for his birthday.
How do you pronounce "present"?
Pronounced /ˈpɹɛzənt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
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”).
Etymology 2
From Middle English presenten, from Old French presenter, from Latin praesentāre (“to show”), from praesent-, praesens, present participle of praeesse (“be in front of”).
Etymology 3
From presend + -t