DictionarypresentCurrent time
adjective / noun

present

The time now or something belonging to it.

The present situation calls for a calm response.

Etymology

Latin praesens means being here or at hand. Applied to time, it identifies what is immediately at hand now.

More examples

  • Try to focus on the present rather than the past.
  • At present, the office is closed.
  • Our present home is smaller than the last one.

Forms

present

Similar words

current
Describes what exists or applies now.
contemporary
Belonging to the same period, which need not be now.