completely prepared or in fit condition for immediate action or use: troops ready for battle; Dinner is ready.
duly equipped, completed, adjusted, or arranged, as for an occasion or purpose: The mechanic called to say that the car is ready.
willing: ready to forgive.
prompt or quick in perceiving, comprehending, speaking, writing, etc.
proceeding from or showing such quickness: a ready reply.
prompt or quick in action, performance, manifestation, etc.: a keen mind and ready wit.
inclined; disposed; apt: too ready to criticize others.
in such a condition as to be imminent; likely at any moment: a tree ready to fall.
immediately available for use: a ready source of cash.
pertaining to prompt payment.
present or convenient: to lie ready to one's hand.
verb (used with object),read·ied,read·y·ing.
to make ready; prepare.
noun
the state or condition of being ready.
Informal. ready money; cash.
interjection
(used in calling the start of a race to indicate that racers should be prepared to start): Ready! Set! Go!
Idioms for ready
at the ready, in a condition of readiness, available for immediate use: shoppers with their umbrellas at the ready; soldiers keeping their weapons at the ready.
get ready!(in calling the start of a race) be prepared to start: Get ready! Get set! Go!
make ready,
to bring to a state of readiness or completion; prepare.
Printing.to ready a press for printing.
ready up, Britishand AustralianSlang. to swindle.
Origin of ready
1150–1200; Middle English redy,early Middle English rædig, equivalent to Old English rǣde prompt + -ig-y1