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 fitness tracking companies typically claim consumer data is safe, some tracking apps have already leaked data to Big Tech companies. — Sparkle Rainey Tribune News Service, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026

Our research is already leading in new directions beyond ancient interiors. — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026

The concerts had already become politicized in the country ahead of this announcement. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

States have already started slashing caregivers’ pay and other critical disability services in anticipation of Medicaid cuts that will roll out next year. — STAT, 2 Oct. 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