already

al·ready

adv \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>

Examples of ALREADY

1. They've already agreed to come.
2. I'd already left by the time you called.
3. He acted as if he didn't already know.
4. Flight 102 will already have taken off by the time Flight 101 lands.
5. Have they arrived already?! I'm still not dressed!
6. 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

Related Words: a priori, early, prematurely; first, first off, now; before long, erelong [archaic], presently, shortly, soon

Near Antonyms: behind, by and by, next, subsequently

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Rhymes with ALREADY

go steady, makeready, unsteady