present tense

noun

: the tense of a verb that expresses action or state in the present time and is used of what occurs or is true at the time of speaking and of what is habitual or characteristic or is always or necessarily true, that is sometimes used to refer to action in the past, and that is sometimes used for future events

Examples of present tense in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tsushima writes in a fluid, ambiguous present tense that muddles the distance between past and present, self and other. —Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2025

Shattered rejects both, never leaving the insistent and unceremonious present tense. —Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2025

Ties, driving gloves, and briefcases may seem old-fashioned—like dusty 1950s staples—but Chalamet’s costumes make the case for reviving them in present tense. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2024

Are all Aquarians’ inner monologues delivered in a frantic tone of present tense at all times, even during the act of memory? —Jennifer Culp, Them, 13 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for present tense

• antisense
• commonsense
• effulgence
• frankincense
• ninepence
• nondefense
• penitence
• recommence
• recompence
• recompense
• cense
• dense

Kids Definition

present tense

noun

: a tense that expresses action or state in the present time and is used of what is true at the time of speaking or is always true