already

American  

[awl-red-ee] / ɔlˈrɛd i /

adverb

1. by this or that time; prior to or at some specified or implied time; previously.

   When we came in, we found they had already arrived.

2. now; so soon; so early.

   Is it noon already?

3. Informal. (used as an intensifier to express exasperation or impatience).

   Let's go already!

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already British  

/ ɔːlˈrɛdɪ /

adverb

1. by or before a stated or implied time

   he is already here

2. at a time earlier than expected

   is it ten o'clock already?

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Commonly Confused

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? ).

Etymology

Origin of already

First recorded in 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”)

Example Sentences

Lyons said Instagram knew from research that a lot of people already were watching Reels with their friends by mirroring their devices on a TV.

From The Wall Street Journal

Berkshire already said Abel will take over from Buffett to write the company’s annual letters to shareholders.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ferry services have already been disrupted as snow begins to dust the north of Scotland.

From BBC

The government says it has already removed 50,000 people who were in the UK illegally and is working more closely with the French government.

From BBC

"Such arbitrary suspensions make an already intolerable situation even worse for the people of Gaza," he said.

From Barron's

Related Words

• before
• earlier
• once
• previously
• then