yesterday

American  

[yes-ter-dey, -dee] / ˈyɛs tərˌdeɪ, -di /

adverb

1. on the day preceding this day.

2. a short time ago.

   Yesterday your money went further.

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noun

1. the day preceding this day.

2. time in the immediate past.

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the day before or to a time in the immediate past.

   yesterday morning.

yesterday British  

/ -ˌdeɪ, ˈjɛstədɪ /

noun

1. the day immediately preceding today

2. (often plural) the recent past

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adverb

1. on or during the day before today

2. in the recent past

yesterday Idioms  

1. see not born yesterday.

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Other Word Forms

• yesterdayness noun

Etymology

Origin of yesterday

before 950; Middle English; Old English geostran dæg. See yester-, day

Example Sentences

The pill, named Foundayo, got approval from U.S. drug regulators yesterday, kicking off a new front in the weight-loss drug wars.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

“Sorry,” he said brightly, “I threw up in that seat on the 405 yesterday, but I think I mostly cleaned it up.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

She added: "It's a great neighbourhood, I'm sure it's just a one off. The police were very good yesterday, it was reassuring to have so many around."

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

"Even after a year, the tremor, the scenes and the feelings from that earthquake feel as if they happened only yesterday or the day before. To this day, it remains in my heart."

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Maybe yesterday was all a dream, or maybe the power has left me since I misused it?

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila