ready

[ red-ee ]

adjective

, read·i·er, read·i·est.

1. completely prepared or in fit condition for immediate action or use:

   troops ready for battle;

   Dinner is ready.

   Synonyms: set, fit

   Antonyms: unfit

2. duly equipped, completed, adjusted, or arranged, as for an occasion or purpose:

   The mechanic called to say that the car is ready.

3. willing:

   ready to forgive.

   Synonyms: happy, glad, agreeable

   Antonyms: unwilling

4. prompt or quick in perceiving, comprehending, speaking, writing, etc.

   Synonyms: adaptable, nimble, skillful, clever, facile, adroit, keen, sharp, acute, alert

5. proceeding from or showing such quickness:

   a ready reply.

6. prompt or quick in action, performance, manifestation, etc.:

   a keen mind and ready wit.

7. inclined; disposed; apt:

   too ready to criticize others.

8. in such a condition as to be imminent; likely at any moment:

   a tree ready to fall.

9. immediately available for use:

   a ready source of cash.

10. pertaining to prompt payment.
11. present or convenient:

    to lie ready to one's hand.

verb (used with object)

, read·ied, read·y·ing.

1. to make ready; prepare.

noun

1. the state or condition of being ready.
2. Informal. ready money; cash.

interjection

1. (used in calling the start of a race to indicate that racers should be prepared to start):

   Ready! Set! Go!

ready

/ ˈrɛdɪ /

adjective

1. in a state of completion or preparedness, as for use or action
2. willing or eager

   ready helpers

3. prompt or rapid

   a ready response

4. prenominal quick in perceiving; intelligent

   a ready mind

5. postpositivefoll byto on the point (of) or liable (to)

   ready to collapse

6. postpositive conveniently near (esp in the phrase ready to hand )
7. make ready
   make readyget ready to prepare oneself or something for use or action

noun

1. See ready money
   the ready informal.
   the ready short for ready money
2. at the ready
   at the ready
   1. poised for use or action

      with pen at the ready

   2. (of a rifle) in the position normally adopted immediately prior to aiming and firing

verb

1. tr to put in a state of readiness; prepare

Confusables Note

See already.

Other Words From

• over·ready adjective
• pre·ready adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ready¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English redy, early Middle English rædig, equivalent to Old English rǣde “prompt” + -ig -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ready¹

Old English ( ge ) rǣde ; related to Old Frisian rēde , Old High German reiti , Old Norse reithr ready

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. get ready! (in calling the start of a race) be prepared to start:

   Get ready! Get set! Go!

2. at the ready, in a condition of readiness, available for immediate use:

   shoppers with their umbrellas at the ready;

   soldiers keeping their weapons at the ready.

3. make ready,
   1. to bring to a state of readiness or completion; prepare.
   2. Printing. to ready a press for printing.
4. ready up, British and Australian Slang. to swindle.

More idioms and phrases containing ready

In addition to the idiom beginning with ready , also see at the ready ; get ready ; good and (ready) ; rough and ready .

Example Sentences

That the information had always been there, but I had not been ready to receive it.

From Essence.com

“We’re united and ready to lead,” McCarthy said as Republican members stood behind him.

From Washington Post

Even TVOS 14 is going official, so get ready to spend some time downloading updates tomorrow.

From Popular-Science

New queens make quacking vibrations when they are ready to hatch.

From Science News For Students

You’re expected to not just receive it with a smile, but be ready to give it at any point.

From Freakonomics

Yves Albarello, MP of Seine-et-Marne, said the gunmen told police they were ready to “die as martyrs.”

From The Daily Beast

The U.S. military just unveiled a new effort to get Iraqis ready to battle ISIS.

From The Daily Beast

If he did, it could be a sign that our politicians are ready to resume genuine policy-making across party lines.

From The Daily Beast

This is a provocative subject that is ready-made for the classroom.

From The Daily Beast

If there is actually a war on Christmas, famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson seems ready to lead the fight.

From The Daily Beast

It secures in many cases, at least, a ready compliance with a large part of the discipline enforced.

From Project Gutenberg

Later on, I believe, a child is wont to have his favourite colour, and to be ready to defend it against the preferences of others.

From Project Gutenberg

The camp grew still, except for the rough and ready cook pottering about the fire, boiling buffalo-meat and mixing biscuit-dough.

From Project Gutenberg

Let your orders for preparation go round tonight, so that your knaves may be ready to set out betimes to-morrow.

From Project Gutenberg

He was mounted on a spirited horse and his manner showed he was ready for any kind of an adventure, no matter where it might lead.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arrange
• brace
• equip
• fit
• fix
• gird
• provide
• warm up