now

¹now

adverb \ˈnau̇\

Definition of NOW

1

a : at the present time or moment

b : in the time immediately before the present <thought of them just now>

c : in the time immediately to follow : forthwith <come in now>

2

—used with the sense of present time weakened or lost to express command, request, or admonition <now hear this> <now you be sure to write>

3

—used with the sense of present time weakened or lost to introduce an important point or indicate a transition (as of ideas) <now, this may seem reasonable at first>

4

: sometimes <now one and now another>

5

: under the present circumstances

6

: at the time referred to <now the trouble began>

7

: by this time <has been teaching now for twenty years>

Examples of NOW

1. We were having trouble before, but everything's okay now.
2. I'm feeling much better now, thank you.
3. I love you now and I'll love you forever.
4. Now's the time for action.
5. “And now,” he said, “all we have to do is wait.”
6. “Can we talk?” “Not now. I'm really busy.”
7. He knows now that he was wrong.
8. Police have now identified the man who they believe stole the car.
9. Scientists now believe that the bones belong to a different species of reptile.
10. the now famous photograph of an American sailor kissing his young wife

Origin of NOW

Middle English, from Old English nū; akin to Old High German nū now, Latin nunc, Greek nyn

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to NOW

Synonyms

anymore, currently, nowadays, presently, right now, today, at present, for the time being

Antonyms

before, formerly, long, once, then

Related Words

here

Near Antonyms

away, far, farthest, remotest; heretofore, hitherto, since; ago, previously

Rhymes with NOW

bough, bow, brow, Chao, chow, ciao, cow, dhow, Dou, dow, Dow, Frau, hao, how, howe, jow, Lao, Liao, mow, ow, plow, pow, prau, prow, Rao, row, scow, slough, sough, sow, Tao, tau, thou, vow, wow

²now

conjunction

Definition of NOW

: in view of the fact that : since —often followed by that <now that we are here>

Examples of NOW

1. Now you mention it, I am kind of hungry.
2. <I'll repeat my question now that you are paying attention.>

First Known Use of NOW

before 12th century

Related to NOW

Synonyms

as, as long as, because, being (as or as how or that) [chiefly dialect], 'cause, considering, for, inasmuch as, since, seeing, whereas

³now

noun

Definition of NOW

: the present time or moment <been ill up to now>

Examples of NOW

1. A lot of things can happen between now and then.
2. The kids are supposed to be in bed by now.
3. That's enough for now, but we may need some more later.
4. Things are fine for now.
5. Fifty years from now you'll be telling your grandchildren about this day.
6. She's due back a week from now.
7. We'll be here from now until November.
8. From now on, no one can use my car without my permission.

First Known Use of NOW

12th century

Related to NOW

Synonyms

here and now, moment, ¹present, today

Related Words

phase, stage, state

Near Antonyms

history, past, yesterday, yesteryear, yore; by-and-by, future, futurity, hereafter, offing, tomorrow

⁴now

adjective

Definition of NOW

1

: of or relating to the present time : existing <the now president>

2

a : excitingly new <now clothes>

b : constantly aware of what is new <now people> <the now generation>

Examples of NOW

1. <questioned the moral values of the now generation>

First Known Use of NOW

14th century

Related to NOW

Synonyms

cool [slang], def [slang], downtown, groovy, hep, hip, in, mod, au courant, trendy, turned-on, with-it

Antonyms

out, uncool, unhip, untrendy

Related Words

à la mode (also a la mode), chic, fashionable, modish, sharp, smart, snappy, stylish, voguish

Near Antonyms

geeky, nerdish, nerdy; dowdy, styleless, unfashionable, unstylish

NOW

abbreviation

Definition of NOW

National Organization for Women