already

[awl-red-ee]

adverb

1. by this or that time; prior to or at some specified or implied time; previously.

   When we came in, we found they had already arrived.

2. now; so soon; so early.

   Is it noon already?

3. Informal.,  (used as an intensifier to express exasperation or impatience).

   Let's go already!

already

/ ɔːlˈrɛdɪ /

adverb

1. by or before a stated or implied time

   he is already here

2. at a time earlier than expected

   is it ten o'clock already?

Confusables Note

Although already and all ready are often indistinguishable in speech, the written forms have distinct meanings and uses. The phrase all ready means “entirely ready” or “prepared” ( I was all ready to leave on vacation ). Already means “previously” ( The plane had already left the airport ) or “so soon” ( Is it lunchtime already? ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of already¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English al redy “all ready”; what originally meant “completely ( all ) ready” and modified the subject ( The porter all ready was there ) was taken adverbially as modifying the predicate ( The porter already was there, meaning “from an earlier time”)

Example Sentences

Although many Russians are worried about the new restrictions on WhatsApp and Telegram, and by the introduction of Max, the state already has vast means to spy on its citizens.

From BBC

The boxers are already in hype mode as well, as evidenced by their comments in the press release announcing the event.

From Los Angeles Times

By Monday, a consensus had formed that most of the information was already publicly available or of little interest.

From BBC

The situation in the camp was already so bad that a famine had been declared there.

From BBC

With a new gap in the airline industry, competitors such as United Airlines and Frontier Airlines have already announced additional flights and routes aimed at capitalizing on Spirit’s fallout.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• before 
• earlier www.thesaurus.com
• once 
• previously 
• then