ENGLISH
REFERENCE

presently

adv.
US //ˈpɹɛzəntɫi// UK //pɹˈɛzəntlˌi// present·ly
  1. 1 soon (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    in a short time; soon.

    in a short time; after a brief interval. This is the standard modern sense in both British and American English.

    Example

    The doctor is busy right now, but she will be with you presently.

    Example

    The rain began to subside, and presently the sun broke through the clouds, illuminating the valley below.
  2. 2 now (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Formal American English

    at the current time.

    at the present time; currently. While common in North American business contexts, some style guides traditionally discouraged this use in favour of 'currently'.

    Example

    He is presently working as a consultant for a firm in London.

    Example

    The director is presently engaged in a meeting and cannot be disturbed until the afternoon session concludes.
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  1. 3 immediately (adv.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic British English

    right away or at once.

    immediately; at once. This sense is largely restricted to historical literature and is no longer used in contemporary speech.

    Example

    The king ordered the guards to bring the prisoner presently to the court.

    Example

    In the nineteenth-century novel, the protagonist was told to depart presently if he wished to catch the final carriage.
Origin

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

Word family

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