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

Purchase volume for large, extra large and plus-sized apparel combined grew by 6% in March 2026 compared with the year-ago period, even as the purchase volume of small-and medium-sized items dropped by 6% over the same time period. —Melissa Repko, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026

Deliveries are up 9% versus the year-ago stretch, and while Nielsen’s upgraded ratings methodology is responsible for some of those gains, the fact that CBS and the TNT sports nets have met their March Madness guarantees is the only thing that really matters to their advertisers. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 Apr. 2026

Routes to Latin America saw declines of 27,000 TEUs to 115,000 TEUs from the year-ago period. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 9 Mar. 2026

While net sales dropped about 4%, the decline was about 8% for the quarter in the year-ago period. —Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026

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