ready

adjective

\ ˈre-dē

readier; readiest

Definition of ready

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : prepared mentally or physically for some experience or action

b : prepared for immediate use dinner is ready

2a : willingly disposed : inclined ready to agree to his proposal

b : likely to do something indicated a house that looks ready to collapse

3 : displayed readily and spontaneously a ready wit

4 : immediately available had ready cash

at the ready

: ready for immediate use kept guns at the ready

ready

verb

readied; readying

Definition of ready (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to make ready

Other Words from ready Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about ready

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Synonyms & Antonyms for ready

Synonyms: Adjective

fit, go, prepared, set

Synonyms: Verb

equip, fit, prepare, qualify, season, train

Antonyms: Adjective

flat-footed, half-baked, half-cocked, underprepared, unprepared, unready

Choose the Right Synonym for ready

Adjective

quick, prompt, ready, apt mean able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability. quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power. quick reflexes a keen quick mind prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response. prompt emergency medical care ready suggests facility or fluency in response. backed by a pair of ready assistants apt stresses the possession of qualities (such as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible. an apt student her answer was apt and to the point

Examples of ready in a Sentence

Adjective

I'll be ready in 10 minutes. “Can we leave now?” “I'm ready when you are.” Your prescription will be ready in about 20 minutes. The car won't be ready until tomorrow. We got everything ready for the party before the guests arrived.

Verb

They readied the room for guests. She readied herself to speak. We have to ready ourselves for a tough fight ahead.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Before applying any makeup, Porsche made sure Imaan's skin was prepped and ready for the long evening ahead. — Gianluca Russo, Teen Vogue, "How to Get Imaan Hammam's Met Gala 2019 Makeup Look," 7 May 2019 Jenner's Mach & Mach blazer is from the brand's Fall Winter '19 ready-to-wear collection. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kylie Jenner's Sparkly Fishnet Pants Scream Business Now, Party Later," 4 May 2019 The prime minister has implored them to relax, reflect and come back ready to strike a Brexit compromise. — Jill Lawless, The Seattle Times, "Shame, sadness in UK as Brexit reveals Parliament’s flaws," 14 Apr. 2019 Judging by how the crowd went wild, the Beliebers are still very much here and ready for him. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, "Justin Bieber Is Coming Back With New Music," 22 Apr. 2019 After raising two children in a suburban subdivision in Guilford, Conn., Howard and Edie Brown were ready for a major lifestyle change. — Amy Gamerman, WSJ, "The Search for New England Quaint," 28 Mar. 2019 Microsoft has been working through some of those complex scenarios in recent weeks to now get to the point where the update is ready for all PCs. — Tom Warren, The Verge, "Windows 10 October 2018 Update is now available for everyone to download," 18 Dec. 2018 To get ready, British companies are hoarding at rates rarely seen outside of wartime. — Jason Douglas And Alistair Macdonald, WSJ, "Fearing a No-Deal Brexit, British Companies Hoard Like It’s Wartime," 4 Apr. 2019 UW Football Spring Practice Primer Check back all week for more on UW football as the team gets ready for spring practices starting next week. — Mike Vorel, The Seattle Times, "Spring practice primer: Eight (or more) breakout candidates for the UW Huskies," 27 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Theresa Mingus is readying herself for the launch of her brand, and enlisted Gomez to create a swimsuit. — Glamour, "Selena Gomez Designed a Swimsuit With Her Surgery Scar in Mind," 1 May 2019 The premise is that Track Mode readies the car for performance driving heroics, remapping the stability control and thermal management systems for the rigors of racetrack duty. — Ezra Dyer, Popular Mechanics, "Electric Slide: We Drove the Tesla Model 3 in the Snow to See How It Fares as a Rally Car," 21 Feb. 2019 The Hollywood Reporter revealed today that Facebook is readying the first series of its planned original video programming push. — Kaitlin Menza, Harper's BAZAAR, "Your Favorite Cancelled Shows Could Find New Life on Facebook," 12 June 2017 As new lava pushes toward the geothermal plant, state officials are readying evacuation plans. — Mark Strassmann, CBS News, "Crews struggle to protect Hawaii power plant from red-hot lava flow," 22 May 2018 Leicester are unlikely to let Vardy leave without a fight, and are currently thought to be readying as new two-year contract for the former Fleetwood Town man. — SI.com, "Atlético Madrid Ponder Bold Move for Leicester City Talisman as Club Prepare for Griezmann Exit," 20 May 2018 One of the most vivid scenes in this documentary packed with nothing but is of two large men wrestling such a crocodile into submission, tying it up, and readying it for the journey ahead. — Dorothy Rabinowitz, WSJ, "‘Outback: The Kimberley Comes Alive’ Review: Awesome Australia," 26 July 2018 And Frank was in a tent in the mud of San Diego, readying himself for combat. — Jessica Stahl, Washington Post, "‘Letters From War’: 1942 – The start (full transcript)," 3 Jan. 2018 According to Vanity Fair, the Duchess of Sussex is readying herself for her baby's arrival in multiple holistic ways, including using acupuncture, practicing natural birth techniques, and enlisting the services of a doula. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle, Like Her Sister-in-Law Kate Middleton, Is Reportedly Planning for a Natural Birth," 6 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ready.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.