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

The resulting hit to wallets is already exacerbating a split between groups.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

"The reality of the current financial context is that we want to work with what infrastructure already exists", said Nandy.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

The Indian leader is on a whirlwind five-nation tour that has already taken in the United Arab Emirates and will see Modi also visit Sweden, Norway, and Italy.

From Barron's • May 16, 2026

Another review reported that people with diabetes also face a greater risk of developing new apical periodontitis in teeth that have already undergone root canal treatment compared with people who do not have diabetes.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

Before long, Maggie realized she was already making the last big plate-sizes of bread she needed.

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

Related Words

• before
• earlier
• once
• previously
• then