already

adverb

al·​ready ȯl-ˈre-dē How to pronounce already (audio)
ˈȯl-ˌre-dē
Synonyms of already
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

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
From concept development to flight qualification The US company and its partners have already passed several development milestones since the program started. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026 With Liverpool already 2-0 up and in control against Ipswich, Barcola was dangerous on the counter-attack and looked sharp. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Turning Point Action is positioning itself to shape that contest, a reminder that preparations for the next White House campaign are already in motion even though no candidates have announced and the midterm elections aren't over yet. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026 New York's new guidelines already have detractors on both sides of the debate. — Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for already

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of already was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing already

Rhymes for already

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Browse Nearby Words

alraun
already
alright
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Cite this Entry

“Already.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/already. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

already

adverb
al·​ready ȯl-ˈred-ē How to pronounce already (audio)
ˈȯl-ˌred-ē
: before a certain time : by the time
I had already left when you called
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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