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 of already

• 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

Tech announced Sunday that Oklahoma coach Ryan Hybl, already a member of the Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame, will succeed Heppler, whose 31-year run at Tech came to an end at the Yellow Jackets’ NCAA regional appearance last week. —Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 25 May 2026

What that means for the Rays’ Tampa stadium prospects is not clear, but Orlando already finds itself being used to prod the process along. —Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026

Those ticket sales represent a remarkable 30% increase over its opening weekend, a virtually unprecedented uptick for a film that’s already in wide release. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 24 May 2026

Back in Arachova, in the shadow of Mount Parnassos, the consequences are already visible. —ABC News, 24 May 2026

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