already

[ awl-red-ee ]

/ ɔlˈrɛd i /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR already ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

by this or that time; previously; prior to or at some specified or implied time: When we came in, we found they had already arrived.

now; so soon; so early: Is it noon already?

Informal. (used as an intensifier to express exasperation or impatience): Let's go already!

Origin of already

1350–1400; Middle English al redy “all ready”; what originally meant “completely ( all) ready” and modified the subject ( The porter all ready was there) was taken adverbially as modifying the predicate ( The porter already was there, meaning “from an earlier time”)

usage note for already

Although already and all ready are often indistinguishable in speech, the written forms have distinct meanings and uses. The phrase all ready means “entirely ready” or “prepared” ( I was all ready to leave on vacation ). Already means “previously” ( The plane had already left the airport ) or “so soon” ( Is it lunchtime already? ).

Words nearby already

alpinist, alport's syndrome, alprazolam, alprostadil, alps, already, alright, als, alsace, alsace-lorraine, alsatia

Example sentences from the Web for already

And yes, someone has already called Spencer a “Small Fry,” har har.

Freaking Out About Age Gaps in Gay Relationships Is Homophobic |Samantha Allen |January 9, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
Merabet had already been immobilized by a bullet to the groin.

The Muslim Cop Killed by Terrorists |Michael Daly |January 9, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
For his part, Bratton is disappointed but not surprised that the same narrative is already being mapped onto Fry and Spencer.

Freaking Out About Age Gaps in Gay Relationships Is Homophobic |Samantha Allen |January 9, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
Cassandra, whose hair has already begun to fall out from her court-mandated chemotherapy, could face a similar outcome.

Should Teens Have The Right To Die? |Brandy Zadrozny |January 8, 2015 |DAILY BEAST

French officials were already on edge after a series of apparently unconnected attacks, including the stabbing of police officers.

U.S. Spies See Al Qaeda Fingerprints on Paris Massacre |Shane Harris, Nancy A. Youssef |January 8, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
As I have already said, we had made four oars, but our boat was so small that only two were necessary.

The Coral Island |R. M. Ballantyne
However, we are already sufficiently acquainted with his sentiments in these respects.

The Life of Philip Melanchthon |Karl Friedrich Ledderhose
The exclusiveness of the New England theocracies, already relaxed in its application to other sects, was thenceforth at an end.

A History of American Christianity |Leonard Woolsey Bacon
"I thought that we had already come to an agreement," said Simpson, with some warmth.

The Cave by the Beech Fork |Henry S. Spalding
I was already marked out for the life of a student, yet little that was in the books I read seemed to find its way into my mind.'

Critical Miscellanies (Vol. 3 of 3) |John Morley

British Dictionary definitions for already

already

/ (ɔːlˈrɛdɪ) /

adverb

by or before a stated or implied time he is already here

at a time earlier than expected is it ten o'clock already?

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

already

adverb

Origin of already

usage note for already

Words nearby already

Example sentences from the Web for already

British Dictionary definitions for already

adverb

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

already

adverb

Origin of already

usage note for already

Words nearby already

Words related to already

Example sentences from the Web for already

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adverb

British Dictionary definitions for already