now

¹

[ nou ]

adverb

1. at the present time or moment:

   You are now using a dictionary.

2. without further delay; immediately; at once:

   Either do it now or not at all.

3. 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.

4. at the time or moment immediately past:

   I saw him just now on the street.

5. in these present times; nowadays:

   Now you rarely see horse-drawn carriages.

6. under the present or existing circumstances; as matters stand:

   I see now what you meant.

7. (used to introduce a statement or question):

   Now, you don't really mean that.

8. (used to strengthen a command, entreaty, or the like):

   Now stop that!

conjunction

1. inasmuch as; since:

   Now you're here, why not stay for dinner?

noun

1. the present time or moment:

   Up to now no one has volunteered.

adjective

1. up-to-the-minute; encompassing the latest ideas, fads, or fashions:

   the now look; the now generation.

NOW

²

[ nou ]

noun

1. National Organization for Women.

now

/ naʊ /

adverb

1. at or for the present time or moment
2. at this exact moment; immediately
3. in these times; nowadays
4. given the present circumstances

   now we'll have to stay to the end

5. preceded by just very recently

   he left just now

6. often preceded by just very soon

   he is leaving just now

7. now and again or now and then or every now and again or every now and then
   occasionally; on and off
8. for now
   for the time being
9. now now!
   interjection an exclamation used to rebuke or pacify someone
10. now then
    1. sentence connector used to preface an important remark, the next step in an argument, etc
    2. interjection an expression of mild reproof

       now then, don't tease!

conjunction

1. subordinatingoften foll bythat seeing that; since it has become the case that

   now you're in charge, things will be better

sentence connector

1. 1. used as a transitional particle or hesitation word

      now, I can't really say

   2. used for emphasis

      now listen to this

   3. used at the end of a command, esp in dismissal

      run along, now

noun

1. the present moment or time

   now is the time to go

adjective

1. informal.
   of the moment; fashionable

   the now look is street fashion

Other Words From

• nowness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of now¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of now¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. now and again, occasionally. Also now and then.
2. now that, inasmuch as; since:

   Now that she is rich and famous, she is constantly being besieged by appeals for aid.

More idioms and phrases containing now

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

Example Sentences

“There’s a lot of sets that we can run and things that we can run … either to get him a shot or make guys think that he’s coming up in the shot. And now that kind of messes up their defensive rotation. But that always helps when you got shooters around. Me and Bron play in the post. Now you get that one on one. It’s hard to double-team.”

From Los Angeles Times

Now, though, there is whispering of a back-up plan.

From Salon

Now, he is spinning a different line.

From Salon

They are now starting a larger, phase 3 study.

From BBC

Now that she has spent three decades in prison she is eligible for a parole hearing.

From BBC

Related Words

• today