yesterday
/ˈjɛstədeɪ
/ /ˈjɛstədi/adverb
1On the day before today: he returned to a hero’s welcome yesterday...
- I was welcome yesterday, but today I feel like the three of you are hiding something from me.
- The crew of a nuclear submarine was given a hero's welcome yesterday as it arrived home from the Gulf.
- I think it was today or yesterday President Chirac essentially backed that up.
1.1In the recent past: everything seems to have been built yesterday...
- The prints are all crisp and clear - Out of the Past looks like it could have been shot yesterday.
- This is a problem that has always bugged parents, even since I was in school, which is not today or yesterday.
- Back in the days these people refer to, players kicked balls of stone-like leather, and were injected with so many drugs to numb injuries that half of yesterdays stars can't walk today.
noun
1The day before today: yesterday was Tuesday...
- The day before yesterday and today, and both on the final climb to the finish.
- My official photographer so far has released only this picture from yesterday's music fest.
- My rest day from yesterday ended today, finally, at about eight o'clock in the evening.
1.1The recent past: yesterday’s best-sellers...
- It seemed like yesterday that we were bitter rivals, so recent since we wanted to kill each other.
- It's our sincere hope that you continue believing in today's gain from yesterday's effort.
- I've always had the view that you remember yesterday, work for today, but also work towards tomorrow.
Phrases
yesterday morning (or afternoon etc.)
yesterday's man
yesterday's news
Origin
Old English giestran dæg (see yester-, day).