al·ready
Pronounced:
/ɑ:lˈrɛdi/
Function:
adverbMeaning:
1 : before this time : before now ▪ They've already agreed to come. ▪ I've already told him the news. = (US, informal) I already told him the news. : before that time ▪ 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.
2 : so soon : so early ▪ Have they arrived already?! I'm still not dressed! ▪ Do you have to go already? ▪ Is it already midnight? = Is it midnight already?
3 —used to describe a situation that exists now and that will continue to exist ▪ The book is already available in Britain and should be in bookstores here next month. ▪ The exhibit has already caused quite a stir.
4 US informal —used to express impatience or annoyance ▪ Answer the question, already! ▪ Enough, already! ▪ All right already!
2 : so soon : so early ▪ Have they arrived already?! I'm still not dressed! ▪ Do you have to go already? ▪ Is it already midnight? = Is it midnight already?
3 —used to describe a situation that exists now and that will continue to exist ▪ The book is already available in Britain and should be in bookstores here next month. ▪ The exhibit has already caused quite a stir.
4 US informal —used to express impatience or annoyance ▪ Answer the question, already! ▪ Enough, already! ▪ All right already!