present

I 1. adjective

1)

a doctor must be present at the ringside

Syn:

in attendance, here, there, near, nearby, (close/near) at hand, available

Ant:

absent

2)

organic compounds are present in the waste

Syn:

in existence, existing, existent

See note at absent

Ant:

absent

3)

the present economic climate

Syn:

current, present-day, existing

Ant:

past, future

2. noun

forget the past and think about the present

- at present

- for the present

Syn:

now, today, the present time/moment, the here and now

Ant:

past, future

II verb

1)

the president presented a check to the winner

Syn:

hand over/out, give (out), confer, bestow, award, grant, accord

2)

the committee presented its report

Syn:

submit, set forth, put forward, proffer, offer, tender, table

3)

may I present my wife?

Syn:

introduce, make known, acquaint someone with

4)

I called to present my warmest compliments

Syn:

offer, give, express

5)

they presented their new product last month

Syn:

demonstrate, show, put on show/display, exhibit, display, launch, unveil

6)

presenting good quality opera

Syn:

stage, put on, produce, perform

7)

she presents a TV show

Syn:

host, introduce, be the presenter of, emcee

8)

the authorities present him as a common criminal

Syn:

represent, describe, portray, depict

•

- present oneself

- present itself

III noun

a birthday present

Syn:

gift, donation, offering, contribution; informal freebie; formal benefaction

••

present, bonus, donation, gift, gratuity, lagniappe, largesse

What's the difference between a birthday present and a Christmas gift? Both words refer to something given as an expression of friendship, affection, esteem, etc. But gift is a more formal term, suggesting something of monetary value that is formally bestowed on an individual, group, or institution (a gift to the university). Present, on the other hand, implies something of less value that is an expression of goodwill (a housewarming present; a present for the teacher). Largesse is a somewhat pompous term for a very generous gift that is conferred in an ostentatious or condescending way, often on many recipients (the king's largesse; the largesse of our government). A gratuity is associated with tipping and other forms of voluntary compensation for special attention or service above and beyond what is included in a charge (known for her generous gratuities, the duchess enjoyed watching the waiters compete with each other to serve her), while a lagniappe is a Southern word, used chiefly in Louisiana and southeast Texas, for either a gratuity or a small gift given to a customer along with a purchase. If you give money or anything else as a gift to a philanthropic, charitable, or religious organization, it is known as a donation (donations for the poor). But if your employer gives you money at the end of the year in addition to your regular salary, it isn't a Christmas gift; it's a Christmas bonus.