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

Mexico’s government has already issued 11 diplomatic notes of protest to the US over the deaths of its citizens, Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco told reporters. — Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 12 July 2026

Tied with Hicks for the team lead with 13 home runs, Hernández has already surpassed his total of 10 from last season despite taking 57 fewer at-bats. — Tyler M. Carmona july 11, Miami Herald, 12 July 2026

If pad thai is already your go-to order, Mama Sidas needs to be in the rotation. — Justin Brown, AJC.com, 12 July 2026

In Oceanside, officials have also lobbied against the law and are already working to mitigate the law’s impact. — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 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