ready

American  

[red-ee] / ˈrɛd i /

adjective

readier, readiest

1. completely prepared or in fit condition for immediate action or use.

   troops ready for battle;

   Dinner is ready.

   Synonyms:

   set, fit

   Antonyms:

   unfit

2. duly equipped, completed, adjusted, or arranged, as for an occasion or purpose.

   The mechanic called to say that the car is ready.

3. willing.

   ready to forgive.

   Synonyms:

   happy, glad, agreeable

   Antonyms:

   unwilling

4. prompt or quick in perceiving, comprehending, speaking, writing, etc.

   Synonyms:

   adaptable, nimble, skillful, clever, facile, adroit, keen, sharp, acute, alert

5. proceeding from or showing such quickness.

   a ready reply.

6. prompt or quick in action, performance, manifestation, etc..

   a keen mind and ready wit.

7. inclined; disposed; apt.

   too ready to criticize others.

8. in such a condition as to be imminent; likely at any moment.

   a tree ready to fall.

9. immediately available for use.

   a ready source of cash.

10. pertaining to prompt payment.

11. present or convenient.

    to lie ready to one's hand.

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verb (used with object)

readied, readying

1. to make ready; prepare.

noun

1. the state or condition of being ready.

2. Informal. ready money; cash.

interjection

1. (used in calling the start of a race to indicate that racers should be prepared to start).

   Ready! Set! Go!

idioms

1. make ready,

   1. to bring to a state of readiness or completion; prepare.

   2. Printing. to ready a press for printing.

2. ready up, to swindle.

3. get ready! (in calling the start of a race) be prepared to start.

   Get ready! Get set! Go!

4. at the ready, in a condition of readiness, available for immediate use.

   shoppers with their umbrellas at the ready;

   soldiers keeping their weapons at the ready.

ready British  

/ ˈrɛdɪ /

adjective

1. in a state of completion or preparedness, as for use or action

2. willing or eager

   ready helpers

3. prompt or rapid

   a ready response

4. (prenominal) quick in perceiving; intelligent

   a ready mind

5. on the point (of) or liable (to)

   ready to collapse

6. (postpositive) conveniently near (esp in the phrase ready to hand )

7. to prepare oneself or something for use or action

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noun

1. informal short for ready money

2. 1. poised for use or action

      with pen at the ready

   2. (of a rifle) in the position normally adopted immediately prior to aiming and firing

verb

1. (tr) to put in a state of readiness; prepare

ready More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing ready

• at the ready
• get ready
• good and (ready)
• rough and ready

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Commonly Confused

See already.

Other Word Forms

• overready adjective
• preready adjective

Etymology

Origin of ready

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English redy, early Middle English rædig, equivalent to Old English rǣde “prompt” + -ig -y ¹

Example Sentences

With space agencies planning crewed missions in the coming decade, research on bio derived construction needs to move forward now to be ready when humans arrive.

From Science Daily

But why have they opted for another relatively inexperienced manager, and is Rosenior ready for the Premier League?

From BBC

“We are ready to capture on that moment.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“I’m ready to go to the White House,” Zelensky said to laughter.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sogoyan said the owner was fully supportive of the monument effort and ready to comply with measures to redevelop the property around the historic home, should the designation have been granted.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrange
• brace
• equip
• fit
• fix
• gird
• provide
• warm up