already
//ɔːlˈɹɛdi//
Definitions
1.Prior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously.
- Much of what he said I knew already.
- I was surprised that she hadn’t already told me the news.
- I still haven't seen that movie. I hope you haven't already seen it either.
2.So soon.
- My love for him has already cooled.
- I have already finished reading this book.
- Has the mailman already come?
3.An intensifier used to emphasize impatience or express exasperation.
- Enough already with the lack of glamour!
- I wish they'd finish already, so we can get going.
4.Indicates the completion of an action (whether past or hypothetical), or more generally, perfective aspect.
- “Yah, I sign already,” my mother replied.
- You frame the picture for me already anot?
Frequency
Overall
Very common· #324
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Common
- General reading & writing
- Very common
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Common
Etymology
From Middle English alredy (“fully; already”), equivalent to al- (“all, completely”) + ready. Cognate with West Frisian alreeds (“already”), Dutch alreeds (“already”), Afrikaans alreeds (“already”), Middle Low German alreide, alreids ("already"; whence modern German Low German alreeds (“already”)), Danish allerede (“already”), Swedish allaredan (“already”), Norwegian Nynorsk allereie (“already”). More at all, ready.