already

adverb

al·​ready ȯl-ˈre-dē 

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!

Synonyms

• afore [chiefly dialect]
• ahead
• antecedently
• anteriorly
• before
• beforehand
• earlier
• formerly
• preliminarily
• previously

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

Based on how competitors have already begun to integrate generative AI into their devices, Apple could also introduce other tools, such as the ability to summarize or draft emails. —Clare Duffy, CNN, 10 June 2024

The campaign has already fended off Republican backed legal challenges over the ballot measure language. —Mackenzie Mays, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2024

Abiy Ahmed’s Crisis of Legitimacy The war in Tigray has accelerated what was already a creeping crisis of legitimacy for Abiy Somalia Must Learn to Stand Alone Before deepening ties with its neighbors, Somalia should focus on security and democracy at home. —Joshua Meservey, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024

According to Trans Legislation Tracker, in 2024 so far, 42 anti-trans bills have already passed. —Daniel Scheffler, SPIN, 10 June 2024

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

Phrases Containing already

• all right already

Kids Definition

already

adverb

al·​ready ȯl-ˈred-ē 

ˈȯl-ˌred-ē

: before a certain time : by the time

I had already left when you called