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

"My sense is that, if the new nuclear arms race hasn't already begun, then we're currently heading towards the starting line," said Rhys Crilley, who writes on the subject at the University of Glasgow.

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He is already not invited to attend royal public events., and his recent appearances have been limited to private, family events, such as funerals or memorials.

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"We were already going through tremendous hardship. Now, of course, we are much worse off," she told AFP.

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"We already have so many you could destroy the world 50 times over, 100 times over."

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"Either he is talking about testing missiles, but the United States already does that," she said.

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Related Words

• before 
• earlier www.thesaurus.com
• once 
• previously 
• then