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WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024al•read•y /ɔlˈrɛdi/USA pronunciation adv. - previously;
before some specified or implied time:[often with a perfect tense like present perfect or past perfect]I'm sorry, she has already left for the day. She had already arrived and was waiting for you. - so soon;
so early;
sooner than expected:I can't believe she is already here. - Informal. (used to express exasperation or impatience): Let's go already!
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024al•read•y (ôl red′ē),USA pronunciation adv. - by this or that time;
previously;
prior to or at some specified or implied time: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!
- 1350–1400; Middle English al redy all ready; what origin, 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'')
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?). Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: already /ɔːlˈrɛdɪ/ adv - 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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