Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Existing or occurring now: Refers to something happening or existing at the current time.
   • Being in a particular place: Indicates that someone or something is in a specified location, not absent.

2. Noun:

   • The current time: The period of time that is happening now.
   • A gift: Something given to someone without payment; a thing offered as a present.
   • A verb tense: The grammatical form used to describe actions or states occurring at the time of speaking.

3. Verb:

   • To give something formally: To offer or hand over something, especially as a gift or award.
   • To introduce or show: To bring someone or something forward for others to see, meet, or consider.
   • To cause to be in a place or situation: To put something or someone in a particular position or context.
   • To represent or portray: To show or depict something in a particular way.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Is the manager present in the office today?
  • We must focus on present challenges, not past mistakes.

• Noun:

  • We should live in the present and not worry too much about the future.
  • She wrapped the birthday present beautifully.

• Verb:

  • The mayor will present the awards at the ceremony.
  • He will present his research findings to the committee next week.

Advanced Usage

• "To present oneself": To appear or arrive at a place, especially formally.

  • Candidates must present themselves for the interview at 9 AM.

• "At present": At the current time; now.

  • At present, we are not hiring new staff.

• "For the present": For now; temporarily.

  • This solution will work for the present.

Variants and Related Words

• Presentation (n): The act of presenting or the manner in which something is presented.

  • Her presentation on climate change was very informative.

• Presentable (adj): Fit to be seen or introduced to others; tidy or suitable in appearance.

  • Make sure the report is presentable before the meeting.

• Presently (adv): Soon, or after a short time (in some contexts, it can also mean 'at the present time').

  • The doctor will see you presently.

Synonyms

• Adjective (time): Current, contemporary.
• Adjective (location): Attending, here.
• Noun (gift): Gift, offering.
• Verb (give): Award, bestow, confer.
• Verb (show): Display, exhibit, demonstrate.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Present with: To give or offer something to someone.

  • They presented the winner with a trophy.

• Present as: To describe, show, or portray someone or something in a particular way.

  • He presented the idea as a simple solution.

Related Idioms

• Present company excepted: Used to indicate that a critical remark does not apply to the people who are there at the time.

  • I find most meetings boring, present company excepted.

• There's no time like the present: Encouragement to do something now without delay.

  • You should apply for that job—there's no time like the present.

Adjective

1. being or existing in a specified place
   • the murderer is present in this room
   • present at the wedding
   • present at the creation
2. temporal sense; intermediate between past and future; now existing or happening or in consideration
   • the present leader
   • articles for present use
   • the present topic
   • the present system
   • present observations

Noun

1. a verb tense that expresses actions or states at the time of speaking
2. something presented as a gift
   • his tie was a present from his wife
3. the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
   • that is enough for the present
   • he lives in the present with no thought of tomorrow

Verb

1. recognize with a gesture prescribed by a military regulation; assume a prescribed position
   • When the officers show up, the soldiers have to salute
2. formally present a debutante, a representative of a country, etc.
3. present somebody with something, usually to accuse or criticize
   • We confronted him with the evidence
   • He was faced with all the evidence and could no longer deny his actions
   • An enormous dilemma faces us
4. represent abstractly, for example in a painting, drawing, or sculpture
   • The father is portrayed as a good-looking man in this painting
5. cause to come to know personally
   • permit me to acquaint you with my son
   • introduce the new neighbors to the community
6. deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
   • The commencement speaker presented a forceful speech that impressed the students
7. give as a present; make a gift of
   • What will you give her for her birthday?
8. give, especially as an honor or reward
   • bestow honors and prizes at graduation
9. introduce
   • This poses an interesting question
10. hand over formally
11. perform (a play), especially on a stage
    • we are going to stage `Othello'
12. bring forward and present to the mind
    • We presented the arguments to him
    • We cannot represent this knowledge to our formal reason
13. give an exhibition of to an interested audience
    • She shows her dogs frequently
    • We will demo the new software in Washington