now
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!
inasmuch as; since: Now you're here, why not stay for dinner?
the present time or moment: Up to now no one has volunteered.
up-to-the-minute; encompassing the latest ideas, fads, or fashions: the now look; the now generation.
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
1Other words from now
- nowness, noun
Words Nearby now
Other definitions for NOW (2 of 2)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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 PostSubmission 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 | THE DAILY BEASTHis 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 | THE DAILY BEASTHe looks like a man who should have had kids, but now never will.
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 | THE 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 | THE DAILY BEASTThis 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) Wellsnow, 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. Carrylnow first we shall want our pupil to understand, speak, read and write the mother tongue well.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation | H. G. (Herbert George) WellsNot 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 FanuEvery 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
/ (naʊ) /
at or for the present time or moment
at this exact moment; immediately
in these times; nowadays
given the present circumstances: now we'll have to stay to the end
(preceded by just) very recently: he left just now
(often preceded by just) very soon: he 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 reproof: now then, don't tease!
(subordinating often foll by that) seeing that; since it has become the case that: now you're in charge, things will be better
used as a transitional particle or hesitation word: now, I can't really say
used for emphasis: now listen to this
used at the end of a command, esp in dismissal: run along, now
the present moment or time: now is the time to go
informal of the moment; fashionable: the now look is street fashion
Origin of now
1Collins 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
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
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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