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

He told Putin his country was ready to "move our partnership to a new level".

From Barron's

However, Labour MP Liam Byrne, who chairs the committee said it would "begin gathering information immediately" so it would be ready to launch an inquiry if it decided to once police action had concluded.

From BBC

Iran has said it will be ready to deliver a draft proposal for an agreement on its nuclear programme to mediators in the coming days.

From Barron's

A fleet of six helicopters was readied for deployment but in neighboring states so that gang operatives wouldn’t get tipped off.

From The Wall Street Journal

But after holing up Sunday in his apartment 90 steps from the beach in the historic Zona Romantica, Eure was ready to venture outside.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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