now

[ nou ]

/ naʊ /

Save This Word!

adverb

at the present time or moment: You are now using a dictionary.

without further delay; immediately; at once: Either do it now or not at all.

at this time or juncture in some period under consideration or in some course of proceedings described: The case was now ready for the jury.

at the time or moment immediately past: I saw him just now on the street.

in these present times; nowadays: Now you rarely see horse-drawn carriages.

under the present or existing circumstances; as matters stand: I see now what you meant.

(used to introduce a statement or question): Now, you don't really mean that.

(used to strengthen a command, entreaty, or the like): Now stop that!

conjunction

inasmuch as; since: Now you're here, why not stay for dinner?

noun

the present time or moment: Up to now no one has volunteered.

adjective

up-to-the-minute; encompassing the latest ideas, fads, or fashions: the now look; the now generation.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about now

now and again, occasionally.Also now and then.

now that, inasmuch as; since: Now that she is rich and famous, she is constantly being besieged by appeals for aid.

Origin of now

First recorded before 900; 1965–70 for def. 11; Middle English; Old English nū, cognate with Old Norse, Gothic nū; akin to German nun, Latin num, Sanskrit nu, Greek nú, nûn

OTHER WORDS FROM now

nowness, noun

Words nearby now

Novoshakhtinsk, Novosibirsk, Novotný, Novum Organum, novus ordo seclorum, now, NOW account, nowadays, now and again, noway, nowel

Other definitions for now (2 of 2)

NOW

[ nou ]

/ naʊ /

noun

National Organization for Women.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use now in a sentence

I had to stretch to work some of those clues in, like the Erie reference in the NOW clue and the Pinkie Pie reference in the SIS clue, but I did my best to make most of those clues sound natural.
Solution to Evan Birnholz’s Dec. 27 Post Magazine crossword, “5×5”|Evan Birnholz|December 27, 2020|Washington Post
Submission is set in a France seven years from now that is dominated by a Muslim president intent on imposing Islamic law.
Houellebecq’s Incendiary Novel Imagines France With a Muslim President|Pierre Assouline|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
His discourse is now more detailed: submission, which is the meaning of islam in Arabic, gives him a kind of enjoyment.
Houellebecq’s Incendiary Novel Imagines France With a Muslim President|Pierre Assouline|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He looks like a man who should have had kids, but now never will.
The Muslim Cop Killed by Terrorists|Michael Daly|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST

And now, similarly, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee: "Bend over and take it like a prisoner!"
Huckabee 2016: Bend Over and Take It Like a Prisoner!|Olivia Nuzzi|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I wonder what that lady is doing now, and if she knows what she set in motion with Archer?
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This is the first and principal point at which we can stanch the wastage of teaching energy that now goes on.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
Now, it immediately occurred to Davy that he had never in his whole life had all the plums he wanted at any one time.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
Now first we shall want our pupil to understand, speak, read and write the mother tongue well.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
Not a word now,” cried Longcluse harshly, extending his hand quickly towards him; “I may do that which can't be undone.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Every word that now fell from the agitated Empress was balm to the affrighted nerves of her daughter.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter

British Dictionary definitions for now

now

/ (naʊ) /

adverb

at or for the present time or moment

at this exact moment; immediately

in these times; nowadays

given the present circumstancesnow we'll have to stay to the end

(preceded by just) very recentlyhe left just now

(often preceded by just) very soonhe is leaving just now

now and again, now and then, every now and again or every now and then occasionally; on and off

for now for the time being

now now! (interjection) an exclamation used to rebuke or pacify someone

now then

(sentence connector) used to preface an important remark, the next step in an argument, etc
(interjection) an expression of mild reproofnow then, don't tease!

conjunction

(subordinating often foll by that) seeing that; since it has become the case thatnow you're in charge, things will be better

sentence connector

used as a transitional particle or hesitation wordnow, I can't really say
used for emphasisnow listen to this
used at the end of a command, esp in dismissalrun along, now

noun

the present moment or timenow is the time to go

adjective

informal of the moment; fashionablethe now look is street fashion

Word Origin for now

Old English nū; compare Old Saxon nū, German nun, Latin nunc, Greek nu

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with now

now

In addition to the idioms beginning with now

now and again
now or never, it's
now that
now you're talking

also see:

any day (now)
every now and then
here and now
just now

now

Idioms about now

Origin of now

OTHER WORDS FROM now

Words nearby now

Other definitions for now (2 of 2)

Words related to now

How to use now in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for now

Word Origin for now

Other Idioms and Phrases with now