ago
adjective or adverb
ə-ˈgō 
: earlier than the present time
10 years ago
Synonyms
- agone [archaic]
- back
- since
- syne [chiefly Scottish]
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Though Napoleon Bonaparte, Horatio Nelson and the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar are long-ago history, France and the United Kingdom are apparently still doing battle. 
David A. Andelman, CNN, 26 Aug. 2022 Her lie is profound and hurtful; don’t tempt her to embellish further or to put her own spin on these long-ago events. Amy Dickinson, cleveland, 19 Aug. 2022 Her lie is profound and hurtful; don’t tempt her to embellish further or to put her own spin on these long-ago events. Amy Dickinson, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2022 Her lie is profound and hurtful; don’t tempt her to embellish further or to put her own spin on these long-ago events. Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 19 Aug. 2022 Act Two transpires on the country estate of an elderly ex-courtesan, Madame Armfeldt (a marvelous Mary Beth Peil, wielding a cigarette holder that looks longer than FDR’s), who lives primarily in memories of her long-ago conquests. Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Aug. 2022 Barbara Ciletti relates the development of the stitch through a long-ago fictional narrator, a young girl who lives on Awaji Island, where sashiko originated. Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 29 July 2022 For many, the Choco Taco conjures long-ago memories of biting into a cold, sweet treat on a hot summer's day. Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, 25 July 2022 Such a shame that Persuasion didn’t intend to retool Austen’s story with this long-ago lovers romance in mind. Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 16 July 2022 See More
David A. Andelman, CNN, 26 Aug. 2022 Her lie is profound and hurtful; don’t tempt her to embellish further or to put her own spin on these long-ago events. Amy Dickinson, cleveland, 19 Aug. 2022 Her lie is profound and hurtful; don’t tempt her to embellish further or to put her own spin on these long-ago events. Amy Dickinson, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2022 Her lie is profound and hurtful; don’t tempt her to embellish further or to put her own spin on these long-ago events. Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 19 Aug. 2022 Act Two transpires on the country estate of an elderly ex-courtesan, Madame Armfeldt (a marvelous Mary Beth Peil, wielding a cigarette holder that looks longer than FDR’s), who lives primarily in memories of her long-ago conquests. Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Aug. 2022 Barbara Ciletti relates the development of the stitch through a long-ago fictional narrator, a young girl who lives on Awaji Island, where sashiko originated. Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 29 July 2022 For many, the Choco Taco conjures long-ago memories of biting into a cold, sweet treat on a hot summer's day. Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, 25 July 2022 Such a shame that Persuasion didn’t intend to retool Austen’s story with this long-ago lovers romance in mind. Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 16 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English ago, agon, from past participle of agon "to go away, pass by, pass away, come to an end," going back to Old English āgān "to go away, depart, (of time) pass," from ā-, perfective prefix + gān "to go entry 1" — more at abide
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing ago
Kids Definition
ago
adverb
ə-ˈgō
: before this time
a week ago
ago 1 of 2
adverb
as in since
earlier than the present time he left here long ago Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- since
- agone
- syne
- back
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hence
ago
2 of 2adjective
as in past
Synonyms & Similar Words
- past
- dated
- bygone
- ended
- passé
- erstwhile
- former
- over
- old
- obsolete
- archaic
- through
- concluded
- antediluvian
- antiquated
- oldfangled
- completed
- terminated
- fusty
- finished
- ancient
- future
- noncontemporary
- out-of-date
- old-time
- antique
- outworn
- musty
- up
- coming
- old-fashioned
- done
- unborn
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- recent
- present
- current
- ongoing
- extant
- new
- immediate
- instant
- modern
- contemporary
- newfangled
- modernistic
- mod
- present-day
- being
- ultramodern
- breathing
- existing
- existent
- living
- supermodern
- space-age
- new-fashioned
- red-hot
- up-to-date
- question and answer session
- question mark
- question master
- question of privilege
- question time
- question-begging
- questionabilities
- questionable
- questionableness
- questionablenesses
- questionably
- questionaries
- questionary
- questioned
- questionee
- questioner
- questioners
- questioning
- questioningly
- questionings
- questionist
- questionists
- questionless
- questionlessly
- questionnaire