already

adverb

al·​ready ȯl-ˈre-dē How to pronounce already (audio)
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!

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.
And all across the country, and across different sports, WAGs are breaking through in big ways, building personal brands and getting famous, with Swift supercharging an already growing trend. Meg Walters, Glamour, 20 Nov. 2024 Which is all fine and well, but anybody with even a peripheral awareness of any of the source material may have already noticed a flaw. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024 The fans are already familiar with the Italian-American New Jersey native who helped the underachieving team win three straight games last year after injuries to Jones and then-backup Tyrod Taylor (now with the New York Jets). Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 20 Nov. 2024 By his measure, however, he's already paid a price. Danielle Bacher, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near already

Cite this Entry

“Already.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/already. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on already

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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