present
/ˈprez.ənt/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
In a place, situation, or group at the current time. It means not absent or not missing.
- All the members were present.
- She was present at the meeting.
- Is the manager present today?
noun
A gift given to someone, usually for a special occasion.
- I bought her a birthday present.
- This watch is a wedding present.
- He opened the present slowly.
verb
To give, show, or formally offer something. It can also mean to introduce someone or something.
- She will present her report tomorrow.
- The teacher presented the new topic clearly.
- May I present our guest speaker?
Adinary Nuance
Present is more formal than there or here when you mean “not absent.” For a gift, it is more everyday than gift in British English, but in American English gift is also common. As a verb, present is often used in speeches, meetings, and reports, while show is simpler and more casual.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- hiện diện
- Spanish
- presente
- Chinese
- 在场
- Japanese
- 存在する
- Korean
- 존재하는
Etymology
From Latin praesent- meaning 'being at hand' or 'before others'. It entered English through Old French in the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
present tensepresent momentpresent atpresent a report
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is present formal or informal?
- It can be both. As an adjective and verb, it is common in formal writing and speech.
- What is the difference between present and gift?
- Both can mean a thing you give someone. Present is more common in everyday British English; gift is very common too, especially in American English.
- How do I use present in a sentence?
- You can say, "She is present," or "I bought a present." The meaning changes by grammar.
- Is present used in business writing?
- Yes. It is very common in business and academic writing, especially for reports and meetings.