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 of already

• earlier
• ahead
• previously
• early
• before

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

Global economies have already weighed energy options beyond the Middle East, as the war in Iran has put irreversible pressure on the oil industry, according to Karen Young, a researcher at Columbia University. —Deva Lee, CNN Money, 22 June 2026

This decision costs Jacaerys his life — and Rhaenyra, who already lost Jace’s younger brother, Lucerys, at the start of the conflict, sacrifices yet another son. —Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 22 June 2026

Extropic has already begun shipping an early version of its thermodynamic computing platform to select partners, including frontier AI labs. —Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026

Britain already has the highest borrowing costs in the Group of Seven wealthy nations due to its high debt and interest payments. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 22 June 2026

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

Rhymes for already

• unsteady
• heady
• ready
• reddi
• steady
• teddy
• thready

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