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”)

Explanation

Things that happened already are in the past, as in "Stop nagging me! I already cleaned my room." If you did something already, you did it in the past, whether an hour ago or a year ago. A team trying for its second championship already won a championship. A kid who ate cake first has already eaten dessert. If you've never done it, then you can't say you already did it. This word often gets used in exasperated tones, as in "Take out the garbage! I already told you ten times!"

Example Sentences

The researchers have already used the connectome to study motor control, especially how a fly moves its legs and other body parts.

From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman have only begun to wage their Nov. 3 runoff campaigns, but they’re already trading sharp jabs about each other and their records.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

“We’ve already locked ourselves into disruptions that will probably last for at least three to six months.”

From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026

Nawrocki has already consulted with the council of the order and says he will decide whether to revoke the honour "in due course".

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

“Nice day for the party, Miss,” he said, trying to peer past the flowers as though coffee and cake might already be set out.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• before
• earlier
• once
• previously
• then