already
already
Pronunciation
/ɔːlˈrɛdi/
all-: /ɔːl/ - This syllable consists of the "aw" sound as in "law" or "ball," followed by the "l" sound.
read-: /rɛ/ - This syllable has the "r" sound followed by the "eh" sound as in "red" or "bed."
-y: /di/ - This final syllable has the "d" sound followed by the "ee" sound as in "happy" or "see."
Word Form Variations
"Already" is an adverb. As an adverb, it does not have variations for singular/plural, tense, or comparative/superlative forms. It remains "already" in all contexts.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Definition 1: Prior to a specified or implied time; by this time.
Synonyms: previously, before, by now, by then, heretofore
Antonyms: not yet, later, subsequently
Definition 2: So soon; so early. (Often used to express surprise that something has happened or been done so early.)
Synonyms: so early, so soon, already now
Antonyms: not yet, eventually, belatedly
Definition 3: Used to emphasize that something is true or has happened.
Synonyms: indeed, in fact, certainly, truly
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this emphatic use, as it strengthens a statement rather than negating it.)
Examples of Use
Books:
"When he looked up, she was already standing beside his desk, a sheaf of papers in her hand." (From a work of fiction, e.g., The Guest List by Lucy Fokley)
"The Industrial Revolution had already begun to transform society long before the telegraph was invented." (From a history textbook, e.g., A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn)
Newspapers:
"The city council has already approved the new zoning ordinance, despite protests from local residents." (From a news article, The New York Times, 2025)
"Experts warn that the effects of climate change are already visible, with more extreme weather events becoming commonplace." (From an editorial, The Wall Street Journal, 2025)
Online Publications:
"Many users are already reporting issues with the latest software update, urging the company to release a patch." (From a tech blog, TechCrunch.com, 2025)
"The viral video has already garnered millions of views since it was posted just yesterday." (From an online news portal, BuzzFeedNews.com, 2025)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film/TV Dialogue: "Don't bother packing, we're already running late!" (From a movie or TV show, e.g., Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One)
Song Lyrics: "I've already seen the sunrise, it's just another day." (From a popular song, e.g., "Already Over" by Sabrina Carpenter)
Podcast: "Our guest today has already achieved so much in her career at such a young age." (From a podcast interview, e.g., The Daily Show with Trevor Noah: Ears Edition)
Video Game: (On-screen text or character dialogue) "The enemy has already breached the perimeter!" (From a video game, e.g., Call of Duty: Modern Warfare)
General Public Discourse:
Casual Conversation: "Are you ready to go?" "I'm already at the door!" (Heard in everyday conversation)
Social Media Post: "Ugh, it's only Tuesday and I'm already exhausted from this week." (From a personal social media post on X/Twitter or Facebook)
Meeting Discussion: "We've already discussed this topic at length in our previous meeting, so let's move on." (Heard in a business meeting)
Public Speech: "The progress we've made is remarkable, but we know there is already more work to be done." (From a politician's speech or public address)
10 Famous Quotes Using Already
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." (Peter Drucker) While not explicitly using "already," this quote implies that the future isn't something that simply arrives, but something being shaped now, thus it is "already" in the making.
"I have already settled it for myself, so let the raggedness of your soul be your own." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
"The future is already here – it's just not very evenly distributed." (William Gibson)
"We are already one. But we imagine that we are not. And what we have to recover is our original unity." (Thomas Merton)
"A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions." (Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.) This quote suggests a permanent change that has "already" occurred once the mind is exposed to something new.
"If you want to make enemies, try to change something." (Woodrow Wilson) This implies that the act of change itself "already" creates opposition.
"By the time you're eighty years old you've already learned everything. You only have to remember it." (George Burns)
"Man is already a god or he is nothing." (Friedrich Nietzsche)
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." (Lao Tzu) This highlights that the journey is "already" underway after that first step.
"The moment we believe that success is a given, we've already lost." (Attributed to various sources, often in business/motivational contexts)
Etymology
The word "already" has a pretty straightforward history!
It comes from putting two older English words together: "all" and "ready."
"All" here doesn't quite mean "everything" in the modern sense, but more like "completely" or "fully." Think of phrases like "all set" meaning "completely prepared."
"Ready" meant then what it means now: prepared, set to go.
So, when you put them together, "all ready" originally meant something like "completely prepared" or "fully ready."
The first known uses of "already" (or its earlier forms like "alraede" or "alredie") date back to Old English and early Middle English, around the 9th to 12th centuries. At that time, it was used to indicate that something was finished, complete, or happened earlier than expected.
Essentially, it's always been about something being in a state of completion or prior existence, emphasizing that an action or condition has taken place before the present moment or a specific point in time. Over centuries, the two words "all" and "ready" fused into the single word "already" that we use today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Already
Already in motion: Refers to something that has begun and is progressing.
Already on the way: Indicates something or someone is en route or about to arrive.
Already too late: Expresses that an opportunity has passed or a situation is irreversible.
Already said and done: Implies that a decision has been made or an action completed, making further discussion moot.
Already established: Refers to something that is well-known, accepted, or firmly in place.
Already in the bag: (Using a synonym for "already" - "already" implies a prior certainty) - Colloquial for something that is certain to be achieved or won.
Already crossed that bridge: (Using a synonym for "already" - "already" implies the past action) - Meaning a difficulty or challenge has been dealt with.
Already set in stone: (Using a synonym for "already" - "already" implies a fixed past decision) - Meaning a decision or plan is unchangeable.
Already have one's hands full: (Using "already" for emphasis) - To be very busy or preoccupied.
Already counting chickens: (Using a synonym for "already" - "already" implies premature action) - Refers to making plans based on future events that haven't happened yet.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of already from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
