present

Present is a multi-meaning word in English, with senses that include a noun meaning a gift, a noun meaning the current moment, an adjective meaning existing or occurring now, and a verb meaning to give, to introduce, or to display. The gift sense comes from Old French present, from Latin praesent- “at hand.”

The present as time denotes the moment happening now, lying between the past and the future. In ordinary usage it can also refer to the near future in some constructions. In philosophy and physics, the nature of the present is a topic of debate.

In grammar, the present tense marks actions occurring now or general truths. English uses the simple present for regular statements and the present progressive for ongoing actions.

The noun present as gift is a thing given without payment, often to mark occasions such as birthdays or holidays. The term is widely used in British English; American English often prefers "gift," though both are common.

The verb present has multiple senses: to present someone to an audience, to present information or evidence, to present a proposal, or to present oneself.