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

"Since LiDAR technology is already implemented widely in devices such as autonomous cars, smartphones and robots," Huang concludes, "our method enriches their capabilities with surface property measurement at very small scales."

From Science Daily

Nothing had been guaranteed when he committed more than 10 months earlier, joining a USC offense that already had a presumptive starter in Miller Moss.

From Los Angeles Times

Copyright is already a huge issue for African artists whose music is often pirated, sold and played on the continent without them earning anything.

From BBC

I don’t know Jon personally but I think it’s pretty apparent from this week’s antics already that he’s a pretty unpredictable character.

From BBC

It is not usually used to silence news stories about bank jobs that have already happened.

From BBC

Related Words

• before
• earlier
• once
• previously
• then