ALREADY Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

already

[ awl-red-ee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adverb

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.
now; so soon; so early:
Is it noon already?
Informal. (used as an intensifier to express exasperation or impatience):
Let's go already!

already

/ ɔː��ˈ��ɛ��ɪ /

adverb

by or before a stated or implied time
he is already here
at a time earlier than expected
is it ten o'clock already?

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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? ).

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51�Թ� 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”)

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky had already declared states of emergency earlier in the week.

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Emery has already proved himself to be a European master, winning four Europa Leagues and managing six different clubs in the Champions League.

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In those early lessons, I sometimes scoffed, thinking I knew the basics already.

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Investors had already pulled $25 billion out of the market in the two weeks before Trump announced the tariffs on Wednesday, according to The Times.

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Social media, meanwhile, is already awash with doubt over Keoghan's ability to deliver a consistent Scouse accent, questioning his attempts in Saltburn.

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