ago

American  

[uh-goh] / əˈgoʊ /

adjective

1. gone; gone by; past (usually preceded by a noun).

   five days ago.

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adverb

1. in past time; in the past.

   All this happened long ago.

ago British  

/ əˈɡəʊ /

adverb

1. in the past

   five years ago

   long ago

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Usage

What does ago mean? Ago means in the past. It’s always used in combination with other words that indicate exactly or about how much time has passed since something happened—never by itself (you wouldn’t say That happened ago). Examples of such phrases are three weeks ago, an hour ago, five days ago, long ago, and a long time ago. Example: A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away ….

Etymology

Origin of ago

before 1000; Middle English ago ( n ), Old English āgān, past participle of āgān to go by, pass, equivalent to ā- a- ³ + gān to go ¹

Explanation

Use ago to mean "earlier" or "in the past." Dinosaurs lived a long time ago. The adverb ago refers to a time before the present moment, sometimes in the distant past, and sometimes more recently: "She just left for her appointment ten minutes ago." When you talk about the more remote past, you might say "long ago" or "a long time ago." Ago was originally a shortened form of agone in Middle English, "departed or passed away."

Example Sentences

“It’s not that long ago where, if you talked to a House or Senate Democrat, there were a nontrivial number who were, at worst, tariff-curious,” Kumar said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

Those predictions made over a decade ago that he could challenge the numbers posted by Nicklaus and Woods remain fanciful.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

A woman will command Australia's army for the first time since its founding 125 years ago, Defence Minister Richard Marles said Monday as he unveiled the "deeply historic" appointment.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

Fifteen years ago, in an epic unraveling, McIlroy saw a four-shot Sunday lead evaporate with a collapse at Amen Corner — triple bogey, bogey, double bogey on holes 11, 12 and 13.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

When we pulled into the driveway, Avery texted that she’d be out in two minutes, but that was eight minutes ago and counting.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison