1
: prior to a specified or implied past, present, or future time : by this time : previously
He had already left when I called.
2
—used as an intensive
All right already.
Enough already!
Synonyms
Examples of already in a Sentence
They've already agreed to come.
I'd already left by the time you called.
He acted as if he didn't already know.
Flight 102 will already have taken off by the time Flight 101 lands.
Have they arrived already?! I'm still not dressed!
Do you have to go already?
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s why, as MLB’s July 30 trade deadline creeps into focus, the Dodgers’ most basic need is already clear.
—
Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2024
Because of this build-up, everyone in the study was already at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and death.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for already 
Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2024
Because of this build-up, everyone in the study was already at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and death.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for already
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'already.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near already
Cite this Entry
“Already.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/already. Accessed 5 Jun. 2024.
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already
adverb
al·ready
ȯl-ˈred-ē 
ˈȯl-ˌred-ē
: before a certain time : by the time
I had already left when you called
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