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

• 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

The Trump administration initially promised to be transparent about the Epstein files in the government’s possession, but has faced criticism over the rollout, with Bondi releasing information in February that was already largely public. —Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025

There was already water on the floor of Jane’s cabin, but the call is what prompted her to run in her pajamas to her son’s residence. —Sam Gillette, People.com, 12 July 2025

New to Amazon, these sandals are already on sale for 48 percent off. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2025

At that time Iryna and Oleg were already outside Mariupol -- the family managed to cross the checkpoints, heading to their relatives in Russia. —ABC News, 12 July 2025

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