ready

[red-ee]

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.

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!

ready

/ 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

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

Confusables Note

See already.

Other Word Forms

• overready adjective
• preready adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ready¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English redy, early Middle English rædig, equivalent to Old English rǣde “prompt” + -ig -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ready¹

Old English ( ge ) rǣde ; related to Old Frisian rēde , Old High German reiti , Old Norse reithr ready

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More idioms and phrases containing ready

• at the ready
• get ready
• good and (ready)
• rough and ready

Example Sentences

Luc Robitaille knew his hockey playing career was over when it took him longer to get his battered body ready for a game than it did to play it.

From Los Angeles Times

I am deeply saddened that so many Americans seem ready and willing to choose the first option.

From Salon

But they were all ready for the start of the NDLS.

From Los Angeles Times

A crowd of 45,777 at Citizens Bank Park was ready to explode.

From Los Angeles Times

The 6-foot-2 point guard’s new Bruins teammates are learning to be ready at any moment for a pass when the ball is in his hands.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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