already

[ awl-red-ee ]

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!

already

/ 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?

Confusables Note

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? ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of already¹

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

And yes, someone has already called Spencer a “Small Fry,” har har.

From The Daily Beast

Merabet had already been immobilized by a bullet to the groin.

From The Daily Beast

For his part, Bratton is disappointed but not surprised that the same narrative is already being mapped onto Fry and Spencer.

From The Daily Beast

Cassandra, whose hair has already begun to fall out from her court-mandated chemotherapy, could face a similar outcome.

From The Daily Beast

French officials were already on edge after a series of apparently unconnected attacks, including the stabbing of police officers.

From The Daily Beast

The big room at King's Warren Parsonage was already fairly well filled.

From Project Gutenberg

Five of the number had studied with Liszt before, and the young men are artists already before the public.

From Project Gutenberg

I want to see the sort of thing happening to schools that has already happened to many sorts of retail shops.

From Project Gutenberg

Now what should college give the young citizen, male or female, upon the foundation of schooling we have already sketched out?

From Project Gutenberg

This system, as already stated, became operative in most districts during June, 1915.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• before
• earlier
• once
• previously
• then