presently

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   Soon; before long.

   Presently the rain stopped and the sun came out.

2. 2
   adv

   At the present time; currently.

   She is presently working on a new novel.

Simplified etymology

Presently is recorded from late Middle English. It originally meant “immediately,” but over time its usual sense weakened to “soon.”

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

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary