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

Already the youngest pole winner and the youngest driver to lead championship, he is now only the third driver in history to take his first three pole positions in a row.

From BBC • May 3, 2026

Already a settlement between merchants and card companies is threatening to upend the rewards-card world, by allowing merchants more freedom to reject credit cards that charge them higher fees.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

Already, the case is a less-than-flattering look at the Tesla CEO, with jury selection complicated by the fact that “people don’t like him.”

From Slate • Apr. 30, 2026

Already, US consumer inflation reached its highest level in nearly two years in March at 3.3 percent as energy costs rocketed.

From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026

Already tired, I rubbed sweat off my forehead with my arm.

From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce

Related Words

• before
• earlier
• once
• previously
• then