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.
With this nomination, Erivo has the opportunity to join the exclusive EGOT club, having already won an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony, marking a remarkable achievement in her career. Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025 He’s already scrapped his plans for taping his ankle in games through the All-Star break, saying the tape job limited his range of motion and his right ankle has responded well enough for game action. Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 3 Mar. 2025 This may explain why 40% of B2B marketing teams have already implemented generative AI to support staff productivity. Kaleigh Moore, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 Before starring in The Sound of Music, Parker had already earned three Oscar nominations for her roles in Caged (1951), Detective Story (1952) and Interrupted Melody (1958). Keith Langston, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Already.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/already. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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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