English [ edit ]

Etymology 1 [ edit ]

From Middle English alredy, alredi, equivalent to al- +‎ ready. Compare Dutch alreeds (“already”), Afrikaans alreeds (“already”), Middle Low German alreide, alreids (“already”), Danish allerede (“already”), Swedish allaredan (“already”), Norwegian allereie (“already”). More at all, ready.

Pronunciation [ edit ]

Adverb [ edit ]

already (not comparable)

Usage notes [ edit ]

Already may be used with the present perfect (I have already done that), the past perfect (I had already done it by then), the future perfect (When you arrive, the business will already have been completed) or the simple future (When you arrive, the business will already be complete). "Already" and "all ready" do not mean the same thing. The two-word term can be used to mean "fully prepared."

Translations [ edit ]

Descendants [ edit ]

→ Gulf Arabic: أوردي ( orrɪdi )

See also [ edit ]

Etymology 2 [ edit ]

Semantic loan from Yiddish שוין‎ (shoyn).

Adverb [ edit ]

already (not comparable)

( US ) An intensifier used to emphasize impatience or express exasperation I wish they'd finish already, so we can get going. Enough already! Be quiet already! 1988 June 24, Liz Smith, Toledo Blade ‎[1], Toledo, Ohio, page P-5: June 24, Liz Smith,, Toledo, Ohio, page P-5: Enough already with the lack of glamour!