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View synonyms for now

now

1

[ nou ]

adverb

  1. at the present time or moment:

    You are now using a dictionary.

  2. without further delay; immediately; at once:

    Either do it now or not at all.

  3. at this time or juncture in some period under consideration or in some course of proceedings described:

    The case was now ready for the jury.

  4. at the time or moment immediately past:

    I saw him just now on the street.

  5. in these present times; nowadays:

    Now you rarely see horse-drawn carriages.

  6. under the present or existing circumstances; as matters stand:

    I see now what you meant.

  7. (used to introduce a statement or question):

    Now, you don't really mean that.

  8. (used to strengthen a command, entreaty, or the like):

    Now stop that!



conjunction

  1. inasmuch as; since:

    Now you're here, why not stay for dinner?

noun

  1. the present time or moment:

    Up to now no one has volunteered.

adjective

  1. up-to-the-minute; encompassing the latest ideas, fads, or fashions:

    the now look; the now generation.

NOW

2

[ nou ]

now

/ naʊ /

adverb

  1. at or for the present time or moment
  2. at this exact moment; immediately
  3. in these times; nowadays
  4. given the present circumstances

    now we'll have to stay to the end

  5. preceded by just very recently

    he left just now

  6. often preceded by just very soon

    he is leaving just now

  7. now and again or now and then or every now and again or every now and then
    occasionally; on and off
  8. for now
    for the time being
  9. now now!
    interjection an exclamation used to rebuke or pacify someone
  10. now then
    1. sentence connector used to preface an important remark, the next step in an argument, etc
    2. interjection an expression of mild reproof

      now then, don't tease!

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


conjunction

  1. subordinatingoften foll bythat seeing that; since it has become the case that

    now you're in charge, things will be better

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sentence connector

    1. used as a transitional particle or hesitation word

      now, I can't really say

    2. used for emphasis

      now listen to this

    3. used at the end of a command, esp in dismissal

      run along, now

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the present moment or time

    now is the time to go

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. informal.
    of the moment; fashionable

    the now look is street fashion

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Words From

  • nowness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of now1

First recorded before 900; 1965–70 now fordef 11; Middle English; Old English nū, cognate with Old Norse, Gothic nū; akin to German nun, Latin num, Sanskrit nu, Greek nú, nûn
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Word History and Origins

Origin of now1

Old English nū; compare Old Saxon nū, German nun, Latin nunc, Greek nu
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. now and again, occasionally. Also now and then.
  2. now that, inasmuch as; since:

    Now that she is rich and famous, she is constantly being besieged by appeals for aid.

More idioms and phrases containing now

  • any day (now)
  • every now and then
  • here and now
  • just now
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Example Sentences

Submission is set in a France seven years from now that is dominated by a Muslim president intent on imposing Islamic law.

His discourse is now more detailed: submission, which is the meaning of islam in Arabic, gives him a kind of enjoyment.

He looks like a man who should have had kids, but now never will.

And now, similarly, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee: "Bend over and take it like a prisoner!"

I wonder what that lady is doing now, and if she knows what she set in motion with Archer?

This is the first and principal point at which we can stanch the wastage of teaching energy that now goes on.

Now, it immediately occurred to Davy that he had never in his whole life had all the plums he wanted at any one time.

Now first we shall want our pupil to understand, speak, read and write the mother tongue well.

Not a word now,” cried Longcluse harshly, extending his hand quickly towards him; “I may do that which can't be undone.

Every word that now fell from the agitated Empress was balm to the affrighted nerves of her daughter.

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Related Words

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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