already

adverb

al·​ready ȯl-ˈre-dē How to pronounce already (audio)
ˈȯl-ˌre-dē
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!

Examples of already in a Sentence

They've already agreed to come. I'd already left by the time you called. He acted as if he didn't already know. Flight 102 will already have taken off by the time Flight 101 lands. Have they arrived already?! I'm still not dressed! Do you have to go already?
Recent Examples on the Web He’s considered a shoe-in to win the best actor Oscar on Sunday for his performance, having already nabbed the BAFTA, Golden Globe and SAG trophies this awards season. Ellise Shafer, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 Kansas’ deadline to declare their personal property to the state is just over a week away, and Missouri’s has already passed — although late fees won’t be charged until May 1. Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024 There was already a lot of success for Sanchez to build upon from last season. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 Atlanta already dealt with significant flooding Wednesday after 3 inches of rain inundated the area. Mary Gilbert, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 In 2017, Walker dropped the plan, which had already received federal approval, because the state couldn't fund its share. Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 Democratic state senator Dave Min stands in second in early returns, and third-place finisher Joanna Weiss has already conceded defeat. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 His former campaign treasurer has already pleaded guilty. Brian Mann, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024 Burns was notified in a city directive that Forest Hill already had a legal defense team and that the police chief does not have the authority to hire an attorney to represent the city or the police department. James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'already.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English al redy, from al redy, adjective, wholly ready, from al all + redy ready

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of already was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near already

Cite this Entry

“Already.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/already. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

already

adverb
al·​ready ȯl-ˈred-ē How to pronounce already (audio)
ˈȯl-ˌred-ē
: before a certain time : by the time
I had already left when you called

More from Merriam-Webster on already

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!