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

While the penny remains legal tender, banks and merchants are already reporting shortages. —Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 16 Nov. 2025

Flory Bidunga, who had already dazzled offensively by scoring a career-high 25 points, skied high to forcibly block a shot by Princeton forward Cash McSweeney with 3 minutes, 44 seconds left in Kansas’ 76-57 victory over the Tigers on Saturday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 16 Nov. 2025

Senior Night for Sac State Before the game, Sac State recognized 24 seniors on Senior Night, 15 of whom have already earned the bachelors degree. —Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 16 Nov. 2025

Lowe's has not announced specific dates for its Black Friday sales, but many of its larger items are already discounted ahead of the holidays. —Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 15 Nov. 2025

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