presentnoun
uk/ˈprez.ənt/us/ˈprez.ənt/present noun (SOMETHING GIVEN)
A2 [ C ] UK informal prezzie, or pressie, something that you are given, without asking for it, on a special occasion, especially to show friendship, or to say thank you:
More examples
- We're having a collection for Tom's retirement present.
- They got an entire set of silver cutlery as a wedding present.
- I was looking for a birthday present for my mother but I didn't find anything suitable.
- Aren't you going to unwrap your presents?
- The children squealed in delight when they saw all the presents under the Christmas tree.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Presents and gifts
- Christmas stocking
- favour
- free gift
- freebie
- gift
- giveaway
- goody bag
- little
- novelty
- offering
- party bag
- party favor
- perk
- prezzie
- stocking filler
- stocking stuffer
- token
present noun (NOW)
More examples
- I'm usually too immersed in the present to worry about the future.
- Let's talk about the present.
the period of time that is happening now, not the past or the future:
A1 [ S ] language the form of the verb that is used to show what happens or exists now:
now:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Now
- contemporary
- day
- de nos jours
- even
- existing
- here
- just
- modern-day
- moment
- nowadays
- ongoing
- present-day
- prevailing
- right
- state
- still
- there's no time like the present idiom
- this minute idiom
- today
- topical
See more results »
presentadjective
uk/ˈprez.ənt/us/ˈprez.ənt/present adjective (IN A PLACE)
B1 [ after verb ] in a particular place:
More examples
- Mind your language - there are ladies present!
- Is it necessary for all of us to be present at the meeting this afternoon?
- Melanin is the dark brown pigment of the hair, skin, and eyes that is present in varying amounts in every human being.
- More men are present at the births of their children these days.
- There ought to be an adult present at all times, when there are young children in the pool.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Present
- all over somewhere idiom
- anywhere
- appearance
- attendance
- attendant
- be in at the kill idiom
- front
- here
- immanent
- in the flesh idiom
- kick
- kick around
- kill
- pervasive
- presence
- sit
- sit in
- sit through sth
- synchronic
- to sb's face idiom
See more results »
present adjective (NOW)
[ before noun ] happening or existing now:
More examples
- Charlie has a clever plan for getting us out of our present difficulties.
- Unlike the present government, we believe in serving the community.
- The present system of payment will remain in effect until the end of the rental agreement.
- The present voting system distorts the wishes of the electorate.
- Are you feeling frustrated in your present job?
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Now
- contemporary
- day
- de nos jours
- even
- existing
- here
- just
- modern-day
- moment
- nowadays
- ongoing
- present-day
- prevailing
- right
- state
- still
- there's no time like the present idiom
- this minute idiom
- today
- topical
See more results »
Idiom(s)
presentverb [ T ]
uk/prɪˈzent/us/prɪˈzent/present verb [ T ] (GIVE)
B2 to give, provide, or make something known:
More examples
- He has a lot more work to do before he can present the scheme to the public.
- Ruth was astonished when he presented her with an engagement ring.
- She presented a well-argued case for the banning of smoking in public places.
- She graciously accepted the flowers that were presented to her.
- The Duchess of Kent will be presenting the trophies.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Giving, providing and supplying
- accommodate
- accord
- administer
- administration
- assignment
- award
- deliver
- go round (somewhere)
- hand sth around
- hand sth back
- hand sth in
- hand sth out
- invest
- lay
- spare
- step
- step forward
- supplier
- supply
- supply chain
See more results »
present verb [ T ] (INTRODUCE)
B2 UK to introduce a television or radio show:
formal to introduce a person:
to arrive somewhere and introduce yourself:
If something presents itself, it happens:
More examples
- I'd like to present my grandson, Jackson Junior.
- He was presented to the Queen and given a knighthood.
- She used to present one of those holiday programmes but now she reads the news.
- May I present Sir Bob Geldof?
- What was that documentary called that she used to present?
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Broadcasting in general
- airplay
- airtime
- airwaves
- break
- broadcast
- cable
- commentator
- preview
- prime time
- production
- public broadcasting
- public service broadcasting
- radio
- rerun
- season
- station
- transmit
- transmitter
- tune in
- voice-over
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics: