Main Entry: ¹ready

Pronunciation: \ˈre-dē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): read·i·er; read·i·est

Etymology: Middle English redy; akin to Old English gerǣde ready, Gothic garaiths arranged

Date: 13th century

1 a : prepared mentally or physically for some experience or action b : prepared for immediate use <dinner is ready>
2 a : willingly disposed : inclined <ready to agree to his proposal> b : likely to do something indicated <a house that looks ready to collapse>
3 : displayed readily and spontaneously <a ready wit>
4 : immediately available <had ready cash>

synonyms see quick

— read·i·ness noun

— at the ready : ready for immediate use <kept guns at the ready>