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

See Examples For:

already

Some recommendations are already being implemented, such as enhanced video surveillance, while other structural improvements are in the process of being developed.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

"They've already felt the wrath of the US," she said.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

They were also more likely to invest in startups that already carried debt, or where the venture firm had no previous experience in the industry—all markers of higher investment risk.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

“Storm surf and runoff has caused significant beach erosion and the festival can no longer be safely held as planned. Plans are already underway to bring the festival back to Santa Monica in 2027.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

“We were going to get married!” she told her parents—it was the truth!—but the cart had already preceded the horse, the milk had been drunk without the cow’s purchase, et cetera, et cetera.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• before
• earlier
• once
• previously
• then