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

Pittsburgh couldn’t go to Brazil, because the Steelers already have an international game in Dublin, and it couldn’t be Philadelphia, either, because the Eagles opened in Brazil last season.

From Los Angeles Times

The Chargers are making their season debut at SoFi Stadium, and they already have two big pelts to hang on the wall.

From Los Angeles Times

Seroka said he has already secured private funding from banks and industry participants to raise the bridge by putting sleeve lifts and platforms on the bridge’s legs.

From Los Angeles Times

“We were already asking a lot of America: to accept a woman, a Black woman, a Black woman married to a Jewish man,” she writes.

From Los Angeles Times

But the party is already looking at other seats where they were in third place last time round.

From BBC

Related Words

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