ago

American  

[uh-goh] / əˈgoʊ /

adjective

1. gone; gone by; past (usually preceded by a noun).

   five days ago.

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adverb

1. in past time; in the past.

   All this happened long ago.

ago British  

/ əˈɡəʊ /

adverb

1. in the past

   five years ago

   long ago

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Usage

What does ago mean? Ago means in the past.It’s always used in combination with other words that indicate exactly or about how much time has passed since something happened—never by itself (you wouldn’t say That happened ago).Examples of such phrases are three weeks ago, an hour ago, five days ago, long ago, and a long time ago.Example: A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away ….

Etymology

Origin of ago

before 1000; Middle English ago ( n ), Old English āgān, past participle of āgān to go by, pass, equivalent to ā- a- ³ + gān to go ¹

Example Sentences

Immanuel made headlines a few years ago for claiming that many of America’s health problems are linked to alien DNA and sperm from demons.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Silicon Valley’s success and mythmaking long ago transformed the once-ridiculed computer nerd into the cool tech bro.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

Not that Arthur was thinking about either Derby eight years ago when she bid $500 for a behind-the-scenes tour of Santa Anita or Del Mar. She wasn’t even thinking about owning a horse.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

It is easy to forget the dire situation Newcastle were in when the defender joined the club little more than four years ago.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

I pause before following his instructions, in a way I wouldn’t have a few days ago, back when Theo’s things were just things and Theo was just a person who lived down the hall.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse