adjective , noun , verb
■ adjective / ˈpreznt; NAmE /
1.
[ only before noun ] existing or happening now :
in the present situation
the present owner of the house
a list of all club members, past and present
We do not have any more information at the present time .
A few brief comments are sufficient for present purposes .
➡ note at actual
—see also the present day
2.
[ not before noun ] present (at sth) ( of a person ) being in a particular place :
There were 200 people present at the meeting.
OPP absent
3.
[ not before noun ] present (in sth) ( of a thing or a substance ) existing in a particular place or thing :
Levels of pollution present in the atmosphere are increasing.
Analysis showed that traces of arsenic were present in the body.
OPP absent
•
IDIOMS
- all present and correct
- present company excepted
■ noun /ˈpreznt/
1.
a thing that you give to sb as a gift :
birthday / Christmas / wedding, etc. presents
What can I get him for a birthday present?
2.
(usually the present ) [ sing. ] the time now :
You've got to forget the past and start living in the present.
I'm sorry he's out at present (= now) .
3.
the present [ sing. ] ( grammar ) = the present tense
•
IDIOMS
see moment , time noun
■ verb
/ prɪˈzent/ [ vn ]
GIVE
1.
present sb with sth | present sth (to sb) to give sth to sb, especially formally at a ceremony :
The local MP will start the race and present the prizes.
On his retirement, colleagues presented him with a set of golf clubs.
The sword was presented by the family to the museum.
STH TO BE CONSIDERED
2.
present sth (for sth) | present sth (to sb) to show or offer sth for other people to look at or consider :
The committee will present its final report to Parliament in June.
Eight options were presented for consideration.
Are you presenting a paper at the conference?
STH IN PARTICULAR WAY
3.
present sth | present sth/sb / yourself as sth to show or describe sth/sb in a particular way :
The company has decided it must present a more modern image.
It is essential that we present a united front (= show that we all agree) .
You need to present yourself better.
He likes to present himself as a radical politician.
The article presents these proposals as misguided.
SB WITH PROBLEM
4.
present sb with sth | present sth to cause sth to happen or be experienced :
Your request shouldn't present us with any problems.
Use of these chemicals may present a fire risk.
ITSELF
5.
present itself (to sb) ( of an opportunity, a solution, etc. ) to suddenly happen or become available
SYN arise :
One major problem did present itself, though.
As soon as the opportunity presented itself, she would get another job.
Thankfully, a solution presented itself to him surprisingly soon.
RADIO / TV PROGRAMME
6.
( BrE ) to appear in a radio or television programme and introduce the different items in it :
She used to present a gardening programme on TV.
PLAY / BROADCAST
7.
to produce a show, play, broadcast, etc. for the public :
Compass Theatre Company presents a new production of 'King Lear'.
INTRODUCE SB
8.
present sb (to sb) ( formal ) to introduce sb formally, especially to sb of higher rank or status :
May I present my fiancé to you?
YOURSELF
9.
present yourself at, for, in, etc. ( formal ) to officially appear somewhere :
You will be asked to present yourself for interview.
She was ordered to present herself in court on 20 May.
EXPRESS STH
10.
present sth (to sb) ( formal ) to offer or express sth in speech or writing :
Please allow me to present my apologies.
CHEQUE / BILL
11.
to give sb a cheque or bill that they should pay :
A cheque presented by Mr Jackson was returned by the bank.
The builders presented a bill for several hundred pounds.
•
IDIOMS
- present arms
••
WORD ORIGIN
adjective and noun senses 2 to 3 Middle English : via Old French from Latin praesent- being at hand, present participle of praeesse , from prae before + esse be.
verb Middle English : from Old French presenter , from Latin praesentare place before (in medieval Latin present as a gift), from praesent- being at hand, present participle of praeesse , from prae before + esse be.
noun sense 1 Middle English : from Old French , originally in the phrase mettre une chose en present à quelqu'un put a thing into the presence of a person.