presently

English Online Dictionary. What means presently‎? What does presently mean?

English

Alternative forms

• præsently (archaic)

Etymology

From Middle English presently; equivalent to present +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

• (British) IPA^(key): /ˈpɹɛzəntli/

Adverb

presently (comparative more presently, superlative most presently)

1. (British, now rare) Immediately, at once; quickly. [from 14^thc.]
   • , Folio Society, 2006, Vol.1, p.219:

     the butler supposing the Wine had beene so carefully commended unto him for the goodnesse of it, imediately presented some unto the Pope, who whilest he was drinking, his sonne came in and never imagining his bottles had beene toucht, tooke the cup and pledged his father, so that the Pope died presently; and the sonne, after he had long time beene tormented with sicknesse, recovered to another worse fortune.

2. Before long; soon. [from 15^thc.]

   Presently all was quiet again.
3. (rarely proscribed) At present; now; currently. [from 15^thc.]

   Synonyms: right now, at the moment

   • 1891, The Welsh Review, No.1 (November 1891). "A Word to the Welsh People." p.1:

     To all of you, therefore, who call Wales your motherland, whether you presently inhabit some other portion of the globe or breathe the air of your cloud-kissed country […].

4. (obsolete) With actual presence; in actuality. [~1600]
   • March 27 1545, Stephen Gardiner, letter to Thomas Smith and MAtthew PArker

     if they perceyve not presently, it shal be wel doon to bringe them to conformite

Usage notes

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