already

[awl-red-ee]

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!

already

/ 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?

Confusables Note

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? ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of already¹

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

Many of them already knew each other and had an immediate confidence that the regular contestants don't.

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But regardless of how many trophies she takes home, Liniker has already carved out a singular niche for herself in Latin music — as a uniquely uncompromising and generation-defining artist.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There have already been questions into deployment levels in the Palisades on Jan. 7 based on a Times investigation.

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Much has already been made about the omission of “Woman Is the N***** of the World” from the present collection.

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The EU has already defined dairy items as products coming from the "normal mammary secretion".

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Related Words

• before 
• earlier www.thesaurus.com
• once 
• previously 
• then