ready

American  

[red-ee] / ˈrɛd i /

adjective

readier, readiest

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.

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verb (used with object)

readied, readying

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!

idioms

1. make ready,

   1. to bring to a state of readiness or completion; prepare.

   2. Printing. to ready a press for printing.

2. ready up, to swindle.

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

   Get ready! Get set! Go!

4. 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.

ready British  

/ 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. on the point (of) or liable (to)

   ready to collapse

6. (postpositive) conveniently near (esp in the phrase ready to hand )

7. to prepare oneself or something for use or action

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noun

1. informal short for ready money

2. 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

ready More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing ready

• at the ready
• get ready
• good and (ready)
• rough and ready

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Commonly Confused

See already.

Other Word Forms

• overready adjective
• preready adjective

Etymology

Origin of ready

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

Example Sentences

During the short trip, he counted 25 motels with brands such as Red Roof Inn and Motel 6 and decided China was ready for a budget lodging behemoth.

From The Wall Street Journal

With their nets at the ready, tens of thousands of fishermen were poised to take part in a traditional festival in northern Nigeria last weekend after a six-year break due to Covid and security concerns.

From BBC

Some are wrapped up in scarves and woolly hats, while others are sat in deckchairs, eating picnic lunches and playing music as they get ready to watch the chart-topping singer Raye in action.

From BBC

Council workers then flatten the huge mounds of sand to create an inland beach, ready for the first games on Friday.

From BBC

She was named in his squad on Thursday, but said on Instagram she was "simply not ready".

From Barron's

Related Words

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