Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

present1

Syllabification: (pres·ent)
Pronunciation: /ˈprezənt/
Translate present | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of present

adjective

  • 1 [predic.] (of a person) in a particular place:a doctor must be present at the ringside the speech caused embarrassment to all those present
  • (of a thing) existing or occurring in a place or thing:organic molecules are present in comets
  • 2 [attributive] existing or occurring now:she did not expect to find herself in her present situation
  • now being considered or discussed:the present article cannot answer every question
  • Grammar (of a tense or participle) expressing an action now going on or habitually performed or a condition now existing.

noun

[in singular] (usually the present)
  • the period of time now occurring:they are happy and at peace, refusing to think beyond the present
  • Grammar a present tense:the verbs are all in the presentSee also historic present.

Phrases

at present

now:membership at present stands at about 5,000

for the present

for now; temporarily.

(there is) no time like the present

used to suggest that something should be done now rather than later:“When do you want me to leave?” “No time like the present.”

present company excepted

excluding those who are here now.

these presents

Law, formal this document:the premises outlined in red on the Plan annexed to these presents

Origin:

Middle English: via Old French from Latin praesent- 'being at hand', present participle of praeesse, from prae 'before' + esse 'be'

present in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of present in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

GET PRO ►

Shop for an Oxford dictionary
Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

monocular

/ məˈnɒkjʊlə /
adjective , noun
with, for, or in one eye …