at the ready

phrase

Synonyms of at the readynext
: ready for immediate use
kept guns at the ready

Examples of at the ready in a Sentence

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.
New on the high-tech medi-spa scene, this beacon of calm offers state-of-the-art diagnostics and therapies with a team of specialist doctors, therapists, sports scientists, and osteopaths at the ready. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2026 The posh pup has a home in the lobby and outside the front entrance, and sits (and stays) at the ready for belly rubs. — Andrew Sessa, Robb Report, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of at the ready was in 1837

Rhymes for at the ready

See All Rhymes for at the ready

Browse Nearby Words

at the pump
at the ready
at the risk of
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“At the ready.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20ready. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on at the ready

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for at the ready

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fulcrum

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All