already
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.al·ready
adverb \ȯl-ˈre-dē, ˈȯl-ˌ\Definition of ALREADY
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>
See Examples of ALREADY
- 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?
Origin of ALREADY
Middle English al redy, from al redy, adjective, wholly ready, from al all + redy ready
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to ALREADY
- Synonyms
- afore [chiefly dialect], ahead, antecedently, anteriorly, before, beforehand, earlier, formerly, preliminarily, previously
- Antonyms
- after, afterward (or afterwards), later
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