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 or get ready
   to prepare oneself or something for use or action

noun

1. the ready informal.
   short for ready money
2. 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

Denzel Washington is almost a decade sober and he's ready to open up about his experiences with addiction.

From Salon

Maybe the best high school running back to ever come out of Orange County woke up ready to devour the college that had only wanted him if he would play defensive back.

From Los Angeles Times

If you see something you love, talk to the vendor to make sure they’ll have more the day you’re ready to purchase.

From Los Angeles Times

Amid the tons of blood and myriad grotesque images, there’s the scene of Moore standing in front of the bathroom mirror, getting ready for a date.

From Los Angeles Times

She also offered a warning: He should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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