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Meaning & use

presence

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˈprez.əns/
US/ˈprez.əns/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    The fact of being in a place, or at an event.

    Grammar: Usually no plural: your presence is required.

    Patterns

    • presence at something
    • in the presence of someone

    Your presence at the meeting is required.

    The presence of smoke alarms saved the family.

    She signed the form in the presence of a witness.

  2. noununcountable

    A strong personal quality that makes people notice you.

    Grammar: Often with an or an adjective: a commanding presence.

    Patterns

    • have presence

    The actor has a powerful stage presence.

    He had a calm, reassuring presence.

    The new coach brought presence to the room.

  3. nounusually singular

    A group, such as police or soldiers, kept in a place for a purpose.

    Grammar: Usually a presence: a police presence.

    Patterns

    • a presence in somewhere

    There was a heavy police presence downtown.

    The company wants a bigger presence in Asia.

    The army kept a presence along the border.

Common combinations

in the presence of
Sign the document in the presence of a notary.
stage presence
Her stage presence held the whole audience.
police presence
A police presence kept the crowd calm.
online presence
Small shops need an online presence.
make your presence felt
The new player quickly made his presence felt.
presence of mind
She had the presence of mind to call for help.

Synonyms and how they differ

attendance
Means being at an event, and can be counted as numbers.
existence
Means simply being, with no link to a place.
charisma
Means personal charm that attracts people, a narrower sense than presence.
company
Refers to being with someone, more casual than presence.

Opposites

absence

Word family

present adjective
being in a place
absence noun
the state of not being there
presently adverb
soon, or now

Commonly confused: presence or presents?

presence vs presents

Presents are gifts; presence is being in a place.

Practice

The contract must be signed in the ___ of two witnesses.

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