already

[ awl-red-ee ]

adverb

1. 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.

2. now; so soon; so early:

   Is it noon already?

3. Informal. (used as an intensifier to express exasperation or impatience):

   Let's go already!

already

/ ɔːlˈrɛdɪ /

adverb

1. by or before a stated or implied time

   he is already here

2. at a time earlier than expected

   is it ten o'clock already?

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? ).

Word 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”)

Example Sentences

But an impending Trump presidency comes at a time when abortion funds have already been forced to slash budgets as the reproductive rights landscape has rapidly changed across the U.S.

From Salon

Scientists do things they’ve already done, and do them over and over again, changing one tiny variable at a time.

From Slate

Mirror of an already extant OMB office?

From Slate

He’s already sticking close to Trump’s side at Mar-a-Lago, advocating for more presidential control over the Fed, asking that the government hire some SpaceX executives, and butting in on an official phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

From Slate

Work started in 1986, and three previous sections – up to the letter R – have already been issued.

From BBC

Related Words

• before
• earlier
• once
• previously
• then