ALREADY Definition & Meaning

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already

[awl-red-ee]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adverb

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.
now; so soon; so early.
Is it noon already?
Informal.��(used as an intensifier to express exasperation or impatience).
Let's go already!

already

/ ɔː��ˈ��ɛ��ɪ /

adverb

by or before a stated or implied time
he is already here
at a time earlier than expected
is it ten o'clock already?

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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? ).

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51�Թ� 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”)

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The series already aired in NZ, with the New Zealand Herald saying it could be “the reality TV hit of the year”.

From

If the Labuschagne experiment has already been deemed a failure, then he may revert back to three with Konstas looking likely to come in.

From

The £1bn saving which the chancellor said would come from reducing hotel use has already been taken out of the Home Office budget.

From

He said survivors had already waited more than two years for the recommendations from Professor Jay's report to be implemented.

From

Those already in Israel or the Occupied Territories have been told to follow the advice of local authorities.

From

Related 51�Թ�s

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