Presently
/ˈprɛz.ənt.li/noun
At the current time; in some contexts, very soon.
Did you know?In older English, “presently” often meant “immediately” or “right now,” and that shifting sense is a classic example of how words can quietly change their spell over time.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
praesentem
“being at hand; in front of one”
Old French
Old French
present
“present, at hand, existing now”
Middle English
English
presently
“at once; immediately”
Early Modern English
English
presently
“soon; before long”
Modern English
English
presently
“now; at the present time, or in some contexts, soon”
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