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!
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
Her campaign had already scheduled a reelection fundraiser for next week — after the filing deadline for mayoral candidates.
—
David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
In response to an inquiry about the family’s request, ICE told CNN that Arlith Martínez had already been deported from the United States three times and was awaiting deportation proceedings.
—Susana Erazo, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
To seat a jury of eight with four alternates, the defense notes, the court must qualify at least 43 jurors, something attorneys argue is unlikely given the number of disqualifications already identified.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
That approach is already visible.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for already
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David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
In response to an inquiry about the family’s request, ICE told CNN that Arlith Martínez had already been deported from the United States three times and was awaiting deportation proceedings.
—Susana Erazo, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
To seat a jury of eight with four alternates, the defense notes, the court must qualify at least 43 jurors, something attorneys argue is unlikely given the number of disqualifications already identified.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
That approach is already visible.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for already
Cite this Entry
“Already.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/already. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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