Definition of 'present'
1. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You use present to describe things and people that exist now, rather than those that existed in the
past or those that may exist in the future.
2. singular noun
The present is the period of time that we are in now and the things that are happening now.
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
4.
See at present
5.
See the present day
6.
See for the present
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
English Easy Learning GrammarHow do you use the present simple tense to talk about the future in English?The present simple tense is also used to talk about events that form part of a timetable
or programme.
The train leaves Edinburgh at 10.10 a.m. and arrives in ... Read more
The train leaves Edinburgh at 10.10 a.m. and arrives in ... Read more
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What are the non-finite parts of the verb in English?
How do you use the base form of a verb in English?
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What are the simple tenses in English?
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1. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
2. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If something, especially a substance or disease, is present in something else, it exists within that thing.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word forms: plural presents
countable noun
A present is something that you give to someone, for example at Christmas or when you visit them.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word forms: 3rd person singular present
tense presents
, present participle presenting
, past tense, past participle presented
1. verb
If you present someone with something such as a prize or document, or if you present it to them, you formally give it to them.
3. verb
If an opportunity or problem presents itself, it occurs, often when you do not expect it.
4. verb
When you present information, you give it to people in a formal way.
In effect, Parsons presents us with a beguilingly simple outline of social evolution. [VERB noun + with]
5. verb
If you present someone or something in a particular way, you describe them in that way.
6. verb
The way you present yourself is the way you speak and act when meeting new people.
...all those tricks which would help him to present himself in a more confident way
in public. [VERB pronoun-reflexive preposition/adverb]
7. verb
If someone or something presents a particular appearance or image, that is how they appear or try to appear.
8. verb
She was told to present herself at the Town Hall at 11.30 for the induction ceremony. [VERB pronoun-reflexive preposition/adverb]
9. verb
If someone presents a programme on television or radio, they introduce each item in it.
[mainly British]regional note: in AM, usually use host, introduce10. verb
When someone presents something such as a production of a play or an exhibition, they organize it.
11. verb
If you present someone to someone else, often an important person, you formally introduce them.
12. See also presentation
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of
present
Word Frequency
present in British English 1
adjective
2. (postpositive)
being in a specified place, thing, etc
the murderer is present in this room
4. grammar
noun
7. See the present
8. grammar
a.
the present tense
b.
a verb in this tense
10. See for the present
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C13: from Latin praesens, from praeesse to be in front of, from prae- before, in front + esse to be
Word Frequency
present in British English 2
verb (prɪˈzɛnt
) (mainly tr)
) (mainly tr)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
7.
to give or award
to present a prize
8.
to present a university with a foundation scholarship
9.
to offer formally
to present one's compliments
12.
to salute someone with (one's weapon) (usually in the phrase present arms)
13.
to aim or point (a weapon)
14.
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. mainly US
(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. (intransitive) medicine
a. (usually foll by with)
(of a patient) to exhibit a particular symptom or problem
she presented with postnatal depression
b.
(of a disease or symptom) to be evident; appear
19. (intransitive) informal
to produce a favourable, etc impression
she presents well in public
he presents as harmless but has poisoned his family
20. See present oneself
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C13: from Old French presenter, from Latin praesentāre to exhibit, offer, from praesens present1Word Frequency
present in American English
adjective
1.
a.
being at the specified or understood place; at hand; in attendance
b.
existing (in a particular thing)
nitrogen is present in the air
2.
of or at this time; existing or happening now; in progress
noun
7.
the present time
8. Obsolete
the present occasion
9. [pl.]
a.
the present words or writings
b. Law
this very document
know by these presents
10. Grammar
a.
the present tense
b.
a verb form in this tense
11.
something presented, or given; gift
verb transitiveWord forms: preˈsent
12.
to bring (a person) into the presence of, and introduce formally to, another or others
13.
a.
to honor (someone), esp. formally, with a gift, award, etc.
the mayor presented him with the keys to the city
14.
a.
to offer for viewing or notice; exhibit; display; show
b.
to offer (a show, exhibit, etc.) to the public
15.
to offer for consideration
to present a plan, opportunity, etc.
16.
to give (a gift, donation, award, etc.) to a person, organization, etc.
17.
to hand over, give, or send (a bill, credentials, etc.) to someone
18.
to represent, depict, or interpret in the manner indicated
19.
to point or aim (a weapon, etc.)
20.
to nominate to an ecclesiastical benefice
21. Law
a.
to put before a legislature, court, etc. for consideration
b.
to bring a charge or indictment against
verb intransitiveWord forms: preˈsent
22.
to come before a physician (with a particular symptom, medical history, etc.)
SIMILAR WORDS: give
Idioms:
SYNONYMY NOTE: present, gift both refer to something given as an expression of friendship, affection, esteem,
etc., but , gift more often suggests formal bestowal [Christmas presents, the painting was a gift to the museum]; donation applies to a gift of money, etc. for a philanthropic, charitable, or religious purpose,
esp. as solicited in a public drive for funds [a donation to the orchestra fund]; gratuity applies to a gift of money, etc. for services rendered, such as a tip to a waiterWebster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
present in American English 1
(ˈprezənt)
adjective
1.
being, existing, or occurring at this time or now; current
the present ruler
3. Grammar
a.
noting an action or state occurring at the moment of speaking. Knows is a present form in He knows that.
b.
noting or pertaining to a tense or other verb formation with such meaning
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
8.
being before the mind
10. obsolete
immediate or instant
noun
SYNONYMS 1. extant. See current.ANTONYMS 1. absent.11.
the present time
12. Grammar
a.
the present tense
b.
a verb formation or construction with present meaning
c.
a form in the present
13. See presents
14. obsolete
the matter in hand
15. See at present
16. See for the present
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
presentness noun
Word Frequency
present in American English 2
(verb prɪˈzent, noun ˈprezənt)
transitive verb
1.
to furnish or endow with a gift or the like, esp. by formal act
to present someone with a gold watch
3.
afford or furnish (an opportunity, possibility, etc.)
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, esp. 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, in or 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
11.
to represent, impersonate, or act, as on the stage
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, esp. a firearm)
14. Law
a.
to bring against, as a formal charge against a person
b.
to bring formally to the notice of the proper authority, as an offense
15. Ecclesiast Brit
to offer or recommend (a member of the clergy) to the bishop for institution to a benefice
noun
SYNONYMS 1. bestow, donate. See give. 2. proffer. 3. yield. 5. See introduce. 9. introduce. 11. enact. 16. benefaction, grant, tip, gratuity. 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 (esp. 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 to avoid the suggestion of charity in speaking of small
gifts to or for the needy: a donation to an endowment fund, to the Red Cross. bonus applies to something, again usually money, given in addition to what is due, esp.
to employees who have worked for a long time or particularly well: a bonus at the end of the year. 16.
a thing presented as a gift; gift
Christmas presents
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1175–1225; (n.) ME ‹ OF, orig. in phrase en present in presence ( see present1); (v.) ME presenten ‹ OF presenter ‹ ML praesentāre to give, show, present for approval, L: to exhibit (to the mind or senses), deriv.
of praesēns present1]Examples of 'present' in a sentence
present
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Quotations
Look to this day
For it is life, the very life of life The Sufi
For it is life, the very life of life The Sufi
For present joys are more to flesh and blood
Than a dull prospect of a distant goodThe Hindu and the Panther
Than a dull prospect of a distant goodThe Hindu and the Panther
Ah, fill the cup: - what boots it to repeat
How time is slipping underneath our feet;
Unborn tomorrow, and dead yesterday,
Why fret about them if today be sweet!The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám
How time is slipping underneath our feet;
Unborn tomorrow, and dead yesterday,
Why fret about them if today be sweet!The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám
Presents, I often say, endear AbsentsEssays of Elia
There is no time like the present
Trends of
present
View usage for:
In other languages
present
British English: present
/ˈprɛzənt/ ADJECTIVE
If someone is present somewhere, they are there.
He wasn't present when they called out his name.
- American English: present /ˈprɛzənt/
- Arabic: حَاضِر
- Brazilian Portuguese: presente
- Chinese: 现在的
- Croatian: prisutan
- Czech: přítomný
- Danish: tilstedeværende
- Dutch: aanwezig
- European Spanish: presente
- Finnish: läsnäoleva
- French: présent ici
- German: anwesend
- Greek: παρών
- Italian: presente
- Japanese: 居る
- Korean: 참석한
- Norwegian: til stede
- Polish: obecny
- European Portuguese: presente
- Romanian: prezent
- Russian: присутствующий
- Latin American Spanish: presente
- Swedish: närvarande
- Thai: ปรากฏตัว
- Turkish: var
- Ukrainian: присутній
- Vietnamese: có mặt
British English: present
/ˈprɛzənt/ NOUN
gift A present is something that you give to someone for them to keep.
She got a present for her birthday.
- American English: present /ˈprɛzənt/ gift
- Arabic: هَدِيَّة
- Brazilian Portuguese: presente doação
- Chinese: 礼物
- Croatian: dar
- Czech: dárek
- Danish: gave
- Dutch: cadeau
- European Spanish: regalo
- Finnish: lahja
- French: cadeau
- German: Geschenk
- Greek: δώρο
- Italian: regalo
- Japanese: プレゼント gift
- Korean: 선물
- Norwegian: presang
- Polish: prezent podarunek
- European Portuguese: presente doação
- Romanian: cadou
- Russian: подарок
- Latin American Spanish: regalo
- Swedish: present
- Thai: ของขวัญ
- Turkish: armağan
- Ukrainian: дарунок
- Vietnamese: quà
British English: present
/prɛzənt/ NOUN
current time The present is the period of time that is taking place now.
- American English: present /ˈprɛzənt/ time being
- Arabic: حَاضِر
- Brazilian Portuguese: presente tempo atual
- Chinese: 现在
- Croatian: sadašnjost
- Czech: současnost
- Danish: nutiden
- Dutch: heden
- European Spanish: presente
- Finnish: nykyhetki
- French: présent actuel
- German: Gegenwart
- Greek: παρόν
- Italian: presente
- Japanese: 現在 time being
- Korean: 현재
- Norwegian: nåtid
- Polish: teraźniejszość czas teraźniejszy
- European Portuguese: presente tempo actual
- Romanian: prezent
- Russian: текущий момент
- Latin American Spanish: presente
- Swedish: nutid
- Thai: ปัจจุบัน
- Turkish: şu an
- Ukrainian: сьогодення
- Vietnamese: hiện tại
British English: present
/prɪˈzent/ VERB
If you present someone with a prize or with information, you give it to them.
The prime minister presented the prizes.
- American English: present /prɪˈzɛnt/
- Arabic: يَقْدُم
- Brazilian Portuguese: apresentar
- Chinese: 授予
- Croatian: predstaviti
- Czech: předat
- Danish: præsentere
- Dutch: presenteren
- European Spanish: presentar
- Finnish: esitellä
- French: présenter montrer
- German: überreichen
- Greek: παρουσιάζω
- Italian: presentare
- Japanese: 紹介する
- Korean: 제출하다
- Norwegian: introdusere
- Polish: przedstawić
- European Portuguese: apresentar
- Romanian: a prezenta
- Russian: дарить
- Latin American Spanish: presentar
- Swedish: presentera
- Thai: ให้
- Turkish: tanıştırmak
- Ukrainian: вручати
- Vietnamese: trao tặng
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Definition of present from the Collins English Dictionary
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