present
pres·ent/ˈpɹɛz.ənt/adjective, noun, verb
present is spelled P-R-E-S-E-N-T: 7 letters and 2 syllables (pres·ent). It appears 151 times per million words in written English, the 679th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As an adjective, present means “Relating to now, for the time being; current” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in present?
| Letters | 7: P-R-E-S-E-N-T |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2: pres·ent |
| In writing | 151 times per million words; the 679th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
| Same letters |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media); rhymes and same-letter words are computed by PlainSpell from its own word list.
How common is present?
Present appears 151 times per million words in written English, the 679th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce present?
- US /ˈpɹɛz.ənt/
- Australia /ˈpɹez.ənt/
As a verb (“To bring (someone) into the presence of (a person); to…”): /pɹɪˈzɛnt/, /pɹɪˈzɛnt/, /pɹiˈzɛnt/.
Present has 2 syllables, split pres·ent in writing.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-us-present-adjective.ogg, LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-present.wav, LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-present2.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
What rhymes with present?
No other word on PlainSpell ends in the same sounds as present (/ɛzənt/).
Spelled with the same letters in another order: serpent.
Computed by PlainSpell from the pronunciations in the English Wiktionary (dump of September 2, 2026): a rhyme shares every sound from the last stressed vowel to the end; ordered by written frequency (wordfreq 3.1).
Forms of present
- more present comparative
- most present superlative
- ps.
- presents plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- presenting participle, present
- presented participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does present mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
adjective
- 1
Relating to now, for the time being; current.
The barbaric practice continues to the present day.
- 2
Located in the immediate vicinity.
Only half of all present members were present at the meeting.
- 3
obsoleteHaving an immediate effect (of a medicine, poison etc.); fast-acting.
- 4
obsoleteNot delayed; immediate; instant.
- 5
datedReady; quick in emergency.
a present wit
- 6
obsoleteFavorably attentive; propitious.
- 7
Relating to something a person is referring to in the very context, with a deictic use similar to the demonstrative adjective this.
Near-synonyms: this (determiner), this (pronoun), current
- 8
Attentive; alert; focused.
Sorry, I was distracted just now, I'll try to be more present from now on.
noun
- 1
The current moment or period of time.
- 2
The present tense.
- 3
A gift, especially one given for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, graduations, weddings, or any other special occasions.
wedding present
- 4
The position of a soldier in presenting arms.
The platoon stands at present.
- 5
colloquialPoo; feces.
I think our toddler's just left us a little present in his diaper...
verb
- 1
To bring (someone) into the presence of (a person); to introduce formally.
to present an envoy to the king
- 2
To appear or represent oneself outwardly.
With your shabby attire, you do not present well as a prospective investment banking associate!
- 3
To nominate (a member of the clergy) for an ecclesiastical benefice; to offer to the bishop or ordinary as a candidate for institution.
- 4
To offer (a problem, complaint) to a court or other authority for consideration.
- 5
archaicTo charge (a person) with a crime or accusation; to bring before court.
- 6
To come forward, appear in a particular place or before a particular person, especially formally.
- 7
To put (something) forward in order for it to be seen; to show, exhibit.
Note: The offensive team must present a legal formation both before and after a shift.
- 8
To make clear to one's mind or intelligence; to put forward for consideration.
- 9
simple past and past participle of presend
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
How do you abbreviate present?
Wiktionary records 5 abbreviations of present: PNV, pr, pres, pres., ps..
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Present in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | présent, actuel , présenter , exposer |
| German | gegenwärtig, jetzig , anwesend , Gegenwart, Jetzt, Jetztzeit |
| Portuguese | presente, atual , apresentar , presentear |
| Spanish | presente, actual , presentar , en presencia, a presencia , ahora |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does present come from?
From Middle English present, from Old French present, from Latin praesent-, praesens, present participle of praeesse (“to be present”), from Latin prae- (“pre-”) + esse (“to be”). Displaced Old English andweard (“present, current”).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).