present

I EXISTING OR HAPPENING NOW

♦♦

(Pronounced [[t]pre̱z(ə)nt[/t]] in present 1, 2, and 3, and [[t]prɪze̱nt[/t]] in present 4.)

1) ADJ: ADJ n You use present to describe things and people that exist now, rather than those that existed in the past or those that may exist in the future.

He has brought much of the present crisis on himself.

...the government's present economic difficulties...

It has been skilfully renovated by the present owners...

No statement can be made at the present time.

Syn:

current

2) N-SING: the N The present is the period of time that we are in now and the things that are happening now.

...his struggle to reconcile the past with the present.

...continuing right up to the present...

Then her thoughts would switch to the present.

3) ADJ: ADJ n In grammar, the present tenses of a verb are the ones that are used to talk about things that happen regularly or situations that exist at this time. The simple present tense uses the base form or the `s' form of a verb, as in `I play tennis twice a week' and `He works in a bank'.

4) PHRASE: PHR with cl/group A situation that exists at present exists now, although it may change.

There is no way at present of predicting which individuals will develop the disease...

At present children under 14 are not permitted in bars.

Syn:

at the moment

5) PHRASE: prep PHR The present day is the period of history that we are in now.

...Western European art from the period of Giotto to the present day.

...monastic music of the present day.

Syn:

today

6) PHRASE: PHR with cl Something that exists or will be done for the present exists now or will continue for a while, although the situation may change later.

The ministers had expressed the unanimous view that sanctions should remain in place for the present.

Syn:

for the time being

7) PHRASE If you say `There's no time like the present', you are suggesting to someone that they should do something now, not later.

Don't wait until New Year to resolve to organise your life. There's no time like the present.

II BEING SOMEWHERE

♦♦

(Pronounced [[t]pre̱z(ə)nt[/t]] in present 1, 2, and 3, and [[t]prɪze̱nt[/t]] in present 4.)

1) ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ at n If someone is present at an event, they are there.

The president was not present at the meeting...

Nearly 85 per cent of men are present at the birth of their children...

The whole family was present.

Ant:

absent

2) ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ in n If something, especially a substance or disease, is present in something else, it exists within that thing.

This special form of vitamin D is naturally present in breast milk...

One theory is that the infection has been present in humans for a very long time...

If the gene is present, a human embryo will go on to develop as a male.

Ant:

absent

III GIFT

presents

N-COUNT

(Pronounced [[t]pre̱z(ə)nt[/t]] in present 1, 2, and 3, and [[t]prɪze̱nt[/t]] in present 4.)

A present is something that you give to someone, for example at Christmas or when you visit them.

The carpet was a wedding present from the Prime Minister...

I bought a birthday present for my mother...

This book would make a great Christmas present.

Syn:

gift

IV VERB USES

♦♦

presents, presenting, presented

(Pronounced [[t]pre̱z(ə)nt[/t]] in present 1, 2, and 3, and [[t]prɪze̱nt[/t]] in present 4.)

1) VERB If you present someone with something such as a prize or document, or if you present it to them, you formally give it to them.

[V n with n] The mayor presented him with a gold medal at an official city reception...

[V n] Prince Michael of Kent presented the prizes...

[V n to n] The group intended to present this petition to the parliament.

Derived words:

presentation N-UNCOUNT usu N of n

Then came the presentation of the awards by the Queen Mother.

2) VERB If something presents a difficulty, challenge, or opportunity, it causes it or provides it.

[V n] This presents a problem for many financial consumers...

[V n] The future is going to be one that presents many challenges...

[V n] This summer school presents an opportunity to experience all aspects of dance...

[V n with n] Public policy on the family presents liberals with a dilemma. [Also V n to n]

3) VERB If an opportunity or problem presents itself, it occurs, often when you do not expect it.

[V pron-refl] Their colleagues insulted them whenever the opportunity presented itself...

[V pron-refl] A further obstacle has presented itself, however.

4) VERB When you present information, you give it to people in a formal way.

[V n] We spend the time collating and presenting the information in a variety of chart forms...

[V n to n] We presented three options to the unions for discussion...

[V n with n] In effect, Parsons presents us with a beguilingly simple outline of social evolution.

Derived words:

presentation plural N-VAR oft N of n

...in his first presentation of the theory to the Berlin Academy.

...a fair presentation of the facts to a jury...

No amount of slick presentation can disguise the gap between what the government promised and what it has delivered.

5) VERB If you present someone or something in a particular way, you describe them in that way.

[V n as n] The government has presented these changes as major reforms...

[V n as n] The British like to present themselves as a nation of dog-lovers...

[V n in n] In Europe, Aga Khan III presented himself in a completely different light.

6) VERB The way you present yourself is the way you speak and act when meeting new people.

[V pron-refl prep/adv] ...all those tricks which would help him to present himself in a more confident way in public.

7) VERB If someone or something presents a particular appearance or image, that is how they appear or try to appear.

[V n] The small group of onlookers presented a pathetic sight...

[V n] But some feel in presenting a more professional image the party risks losing its radical edge and its individuality.

[V n to n] ...presenting a calm and dignified face to the world at large.

8) VERB If you present yourself somewhere, you officially arrive there, for example for an appointment.

[V pron-refl prep/adv] She was told to present herself at the Town Hall at 11.30 for the induction ceremony...

[V pron-refl prep/adv] We presented ourselves to the authorities promptly.

9) VERB If someone presents a programme on television or radio, they introduce each item in it. [mainly BRIT]

[V n] She presents a monthly magazine programme on the BBC.

(in AM, usually use , introduce)

10) VERB When someone presents something such as a production of a play or an exhibition, they organize it.

[V n] The Lyric Theatre is presenting a new production of `Over the Bridge'.

11) VERB If you present someone to someone else, often an important person, you formally introduce them.

[V n to n] Fox stepped forward, welcomed him in Malay, and presented him to Jack...

[V n] Allow me to present my wife's cousin, Mr Zachary Colenso.

Syn:

introduce

12) → See also presentation