/ ˈprezntli; NAmE / adverb
1.
( especially NAmE ) at the time you are speaking or writing; now
SYN currently :
The crime is presently being investigated by the police.
These are the courses presently available.
HELP NOTE : In this meaning presently usually comes before the verb, adjective or noun that it refers to.
2.
used to show that sth happened after a short time :
Presently, the door opened again and three men stepped out.
HELP NOTE : In this meaning presently usually comes at the beginning of a sentence.
3.
used to show that sth will happen soon
SYN shortly :
She'll be here presently.
HELP NOTE : In this meaning presently usually comes at the end of a sentence.
••
BRITISH / AMERICAN
presently
In both BrE and NAmE , presently can mean 'soon' or 'after a short time':
I'll be with you presently.
In NAmE the usual meaning of presently is 'at the present time' or 'now':
She is presently living in Milan.
•
There is presently no cure for the disease.
This use is becoming more accepted in BrE , but at present or currently are usually used.