ago

adjective or adverb

ə-ˈgō 

: earlier than the present time

10 years ago

Synonyms of ago

• since

Examples of ago in a Sentence

he left here long ago

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2025, July was the only month with increasing restaurant visits compared with the year-ago period, according to Black Box Intelligence. —Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026

Meanwhile, the entire West was on fire, trails already choked with deadfall from decades-ago blazes even as new ones torched millions more acres every season. —Literary Hub, 22 Dec. 2025

Traditional cable losses have slowed considerably, with operators like Comcast, Charter, et al losing 548,000 video subs in the most recent quarter versus an exodus of 931,000 in the year-ago period. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 Dec. 2025

In addition, Howe said sales in the athletic category saw performance continuing to improve, delivering a 1 percent comp in adult athletic, representing a 300 basis point increase from last quarter, and an 8 percent comp in kids’ athletic, or an 800 basis point increase from year-ago levels. —Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ago, agon, from past participle of agon "to go away, pass by, pass away, come to an end," going back to Old English āgān "to go away, depart, (of time) pass," from ā-, perfective prefix + gān "to go entry 1" — more at abide

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ago

• a long time ago
• long ago
• not long ago
• not so long ago
• some time ago

Rhymes for ago

• acknow
• aglow
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau
• bateau

Kids Definition

ago

adjective or adverb

ə-ˈgō 

: earlier than the present time

many years ago