now

1 of 5

adverb

1
a
: at the present time or moment
Now is the time for action.
b
: in the time immediately before the present
thought of them just now
c
: in the time immediately to follow : forthwith
come in now
2
used with the sense of present time weakened or lost to express command, request, or admonition
now hear this
now you be sure to write
3
used with the sense of present time weakened or lost to introduce an important point or indicate a transition (as of ideas)
now, this may seem reasonable at first
4
: sometimes
now one and now another
5
: under the present circumstances
Since my plan has failed, we must now try his.
6
: at the time referred to
now the trouble began
7
: by this time
has been teaching now for twenty years

now

2 of 5

conjunction

: in view of the fact that : since
often followed by that
now that we are here

now

3 of 5

noun

: the present time or moment
been ill up to now

now

4 of 5

adjective

1
: of or relating to the present time : existing
the now president
2
a
: excitingly new
now clothes
b
: constantly aware of what is new
now people
the now generation

NOW

5 of 5

abbreviation

National Organization for Women

Examples of now in a Sentence

Adverb We were having trouble before, but everything's okay now. I'm feeling much better now, thank you. I love you now and I'll love you forever. Now's the time for action. “And now,” he said, “all we have to do is wait.” “Can we talk?” “Not now. I'm really busy.” He knows now that he was wrong. Police have now identified the man who they believe stole the car. Scientists now believe that the bones belong to a different species of reptile. the now famous photograph of an American sailor kissing his young wife Conjunction Now you mention it, I am kind of hungry. I'll repeat my question now that you are paying attention. Noun A lot of things can happen between now and then. The kids are supposed to be in bed by now. That's enough for now, but we may need some more later. Things are fine for now. Fifty years from now you'll be telling your grandchildren about this day. She's due back a week from now. We'll be here from now until November. From now on, no one can use my car without my permission. Adjective questioned the moral values of the now generation
Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
Mnuchin, who now leads Liberty Strategic Capital, a private equity firm, was an early advocate for forcing a sale of TikTok to a US company. Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Forever — which features 12 new tracks from the Rock Hall-inducted Jersey rockers — is available to preorder now. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 While the boonie hat started as purely functional, it’s now found quite a home in the menswear space. William Goodman, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024 The full capsule collection, now available on Adore Adorn’s official site mold inspirations from organic space into 14 fine mixed-metal earrings, brooches, and pendants. Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 14 Mar. 2024 Shell now aims to reduce its net carbon intensity by 15% to 20% by 2030, compared with a previous target of 20%, according to its latest energy transition strategy update published on Thursday. Laura Hurst, Fortune Europe, 14 Mar. 2024 Former Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer tops the list with 260 goals, ahead of Harry Kane – now in Germany with Bayern Munich – and two United legends: Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole. Zayn Nabbi, CNN, 2 Mar. 2024 Deals of the Day Torrid Floral Lace Strappy Bodysuit is now 50% off at torrid.com. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 With one more champion to her credit, the globe-dominating pop (and now country) superstar matches with several other beloved musicians for a spot of history. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024
Noun
Pugh and Braff's red carpet appearance was the first time the now-exes have done a public appearance together. Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2023 Maybe draft hype sounds like hyperbole with Miami taking a win-now approach after years of rebuilding in previous offseasons. David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2023 Plus, his girlfriend-now-wife is from Kansas City, so the choice was easy. Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2023 So pack some sunscreen and a towel, and enjoy the last warm days of the year wearing one of these need-to-know-now brands. Nila Do Simon, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2020 The see-now-buy-now collection included jewelry, eyewear, shoes and clothing. San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2019 The Model 3 now starts at $38,990, according to Tesla’s website. Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2019 In Augustine’s formulation, a faithful person doesn’t merely forget the past, that collection of dead nows. Christian Wiman, WSJ, 21 June 2019
Adjective
Early in Natalia Speaks the filmmakers arrange for Natalia to sit down with Michael Barnett, who begins to emote his own tale of abuse at the hands of his now ex-wife. Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 1 Jan. 2024 Along with the huge success that came from the Fox series, Falchuk also has the show to thank for his love story with his now wife, Gwyneth Paltrow. Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 4 Jan. 2024 Instead, the courtroom heard from his now ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, who described in detail the altercation that left her ear bloody and finger fractured. Erin Nolan, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2023 Some 99% of its 54,000 employees work either remotely or hybrid near one of its now hub-like office configurations. Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2023 The father, Jesse Jones of Arlington, had his first date with his now wife at a Wizards game. Ava Wallace, Washington Post, 14 Dec. 2023 When Harris Reed met his now husband, Eitan Senerman, via a dating app, there was an instant connection. Emily Chan, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2023 Duncan raised two daughters with his now ex-wife, the sculptor Adrian Arleo, in the time between novels. John Williams, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2023 The restaurants are a point of contention with their now exes, Katie Maloney and Ariana Madix, throughout the show. Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 7 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'now.' 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

Adverb, Conjunction, Noun, and Adjective

Middle English, from Old English ; akin to Old High German now, Latin nunc, Greek nyn

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Conjunction

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of now was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near now

Cite this Entry

“Now.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/now. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

now

1 of 4 adverb
1
a
: at the present time
they are busy now
b
: in the time immediately before the present
thought of them just now
c
: in the time immediately to follow
come in now
2
used with the sense of present time weakened or lost (as to express command or introduce an important point)
now hear this
3
: sometimes
now one and now another
4
: under the present circumstances
now the trouble began
5
: by this time
has been teaching now for twenty years

now

2 of 4 conjunction
: in view of the fact that : since
often followed by that
now that we are here

now

3 of 4 noun
ˈnau̇
: the present time
been ill up to now

now

4 of 4 adjective
ˈnau̇
: of or relating to the present time : existing
the now president

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