ago

[uh-goh]

adjective

1. gone; gone by; past (usually preceded by a noun).

   five days ago.

adverb

1. in past time; in the past.

   All this happened long ago.

ago

/ əˈɡəʊ /

adverb

1. in the past

   five years ago

   long ago

Usage

The use of ago with since ( it's ten years ago since he wrote the novel ) is redundant and should be avoided: it is ten years since he wrote the novel

Word History and Origins

Origin of ago¹

before 1000; Middle English ago ( n ), Old English āgān, past participle of āgān to go by, pass, equivalent to ā- a- ³ + gān to go ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ago¹

C14 ago, from Old English āgān to pass away

Example Sentences

Five years ago, Riley landed in the mountains of Japan, where he has remained ever since, and last year I visited him in his small apartment in Kobuchizawa.

From Los Angeles Times

They told us that, despite reaching out to police a year ago, the dealers were still on the streets.

From BBC

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans a month ago to take control of Gaza City after indirect talks with Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release deal broke down in July.

From BBC

Fallon said: "It was only a few years ago I came here for the first time as a student, so to be standing here with my painting on the walls, it's a very prominent moment."

From BBC

He had previously visited Flushing Meadows on several occasions before being joined by wife Melania on his last visit a decade ago.

From BBC

When To Use

What does ago mean?

Ago means in the past.It’s always used in combination with other words that indicate exactly or about how much time has passed since something happened—never by itself (you wouldn’t say That happened ago).Examples of such phrases are three weeks ago, an hour ago, five days ago, long ago, and a long time ago.Example: A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away ….