First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
already
adverb al·ready \ȯl-ˈre-dē, ˈȯl-ˌ\
: before this time : before now : before that time
: so soon : so early
—used to describe a situation that exists now and that will continue to exist
Full Definition of ALREADY
1
: prior to a specified or implied past, present, or future time : by this time : previously <he had already left when I called>
2
—used as an intensive <all right already> <enough already>
See already defined for English-language learners
See already defined for kids
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Origin of ALREADY
Middle English al redy, from al redy, adjective, wholly ready, from al all + redy ready
Related to ALREADY
- Synonyms
- afore [chiefly dialect], ahead, antecedently, anteriorly, before, beforehand, earlier, formerly, preliminarily, previously
- Antonyms
- after, afterward (or afterwards), later
ALREADY Defined for Kids
already
adverb al·ready \ȯl-ˈre-dē\
Definition of ALREADY for Kids
1
: before a certain time : by this time <I had already left when you called.>
2
: so soon <Are they here already?>
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