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”)

Example Sentences

We have already witnessed an ice dance judging scandal and a curling kerfuffle featuring a cursing Canadian.

From The Wall Street Journal

And they offer new exemptions for some housing projects like ones built in urban areas that are already developed.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the larger question, which may take many years to unfold, is whether a version of the Anglo-European political implosion is already happening here, or has already happened.

From Salon

The threat of malicious AI swarms is no longer theoretical: Our evidence suggests these tactics are already being deployed.

From Salon

It was another battle in the bag, but the war was already won.

From BBC

Related Words

• before
• earlier
• once
• previously
• then