1now 
/ˈnaʊ/ adverb
/ˈnaʊ/ adverb 1 : at the present time
▪ We were having trouble before, but everything's okay now. ▪ I'm feeling much better now, thank you. ▪ I love you now and I'll love you forever. ▪ Now's the time for action. ▪ “And now,” he said, “all we have to do is wait.” ▪ “Can we talk?” “Not now. I'm really busy.” ▪ The room is now used as a home office. = They now use the room as a home office. ▪ He knows now that he was wrong. ▪ Police have now identified the man who they believe stole the car. ▪ Scientists now believe that the bones belong to a different species of reptile. ▪ the now famous photograph of an American sailor kissing his young wife ▪ I wish I knew then what I know now. ▪ This is the only chance you'll ever get. It's now or never. — often used to show that you are annoyed about something ▪ Now you tell me?! I needed to know that yesterday! ▪ You tracked dirt everywhere! Now I have to spend all day cleaning again! ▪ “I know you've explained a lot—but can I ask just one more question?” “What now?” = “What is it now?” = “Now what?” ▪ OK: I'll do it your way. Are you happy now? 2 : in the next moment : very soon
▪ I have to leave now. [=right now, right away, immediately] ▪ It's time to go home now. ▪ If I don't do it now, I'll forget to do it later. ▪ They'll be back any minute now! ▪ Any day now, he'll be walking through that door. ▪ Now which way do we go? ▪ What do I do now? ▪ What now? = Now what? [=what next?] 3 : in the present situation
▪ He'll never believe me now! ▪ If you can't stand the heat now, you certainly won't be able to stand it in the summer. 4 : at the time referred to in the past
▪ Her parents arrived home the next day. Now the trouble really began. ▪ I next met her again a few years later. She was now 30 years old and working for a law firm. 5 : for an amount of time until the present time
▪ It's been several years now since I last saw her. [=I haven't seen her for several years] — often used with for ▪ We've lived here for a long time now. = We've lived here for some time now. ▪ She has been teaching for 20 years now. = She has been teaching now for 20 years. 6 — used to make a command or request or to express criticism or disapproval ▪ Hurry up, now, class started three minutes ago. ▪ Now, Billy, that's no way to talk to your mother! ▪ Now you be sure to write, you hear? ▪ Well, now, what is this I hear about you going back to school? ▪ Come now. You know that's not true. = (chiefly US) Come on, now. You know that's not true. ▪ Now, which one of you kids broke the window? ▪ Now, you listen to me. ▪ Now see here! 7 — used to introduce an important idea or to show a change in subject ▪ Now, I'd like to call your attention to the statue in the middle of the room. ▪ “What's the meaning of life?” “Now that's what I call a really important question!” ▪ Now that was a great song! ▪ Now where was I? Oh yes, I was telling you about my Uncle Harry. ▪ Now you've done it! ▪ Now don't get too excited. ▪ Now who could that be? ▪ Now then, what shall we do next? ◊The phrase now for is often used to introduce a different idea or activity.
▪ That was an easy question. Now for something a bit more challenging. ▪ Now for today's top news stories. 8 literary : at one moment : sometimes
▪ now one and now another ▪ She was now laughing, now crying.
▪ We were having trouble before, but everything's okay now. ▪ I'm feeling much better now, thank you. ▪ I love you now and I'll love you forever. ▪ Now's the time for action. ▪ “And now,” he said, “all we have to do is wait.” ▪ “Can we talk?” “Not now. I'm really busy.” ▪ The room is now used as a home office. = They now use the room as a home office. ▪ He knows now that he was wrong. ▪ Police have now identified the man who they believe stole the car. ▪ Scientists now believe that the bones belong to a different species of reptile. ▪ the now famous photograph of an American sailor kissing his young wife ▪ I wish I knew then what I know now. ▪ This is the only chance you'll ever get. It's now or never. — often used to show that you are annoyed about something ▪ Now you tell me?! I needed to know that yesterday! ▪ You tracked dirt everywhere! Now I have to spend all day cleaning again! ▪ “I know you've explained a lot—but can I ask just one more question?” “What now?” = “What is it now?” = “Now what?” ▪ OK: I'll do it your way. Are you happy now?
▪ I have to leave now. [=right now, right away, immediately] ▪ It's time to go home now. ▪ If I don't do it now, I'll forget to do it later. ▪ They'll be back any minute now! ▪ Any day now, he'll be walking through that door. ▪ Now which way do we go? ▪ What do I do now? ▪ What now? = Now what? [=what next?]
▪ He'll never believe me now! ▪ If you can't stand the heat now, you certainly won't be able to stand it in the summer.
▪ Her parents arrived home the next day. Now the trouble really began. ▪ I next met her again a few years later. She was now 30 years old and working for a law firm.
▪ It's been several years now since I last saw her. [=I haven't seen her for several years] — often used with for ▪ We've lived here for a long time now. = We've lived here for some time now. ▪ She has been teaching for 20 years now. = She has been teaching now for 20 years.
▪ That was an easy question. Now for something a bit more challenging. ▪ Now for today's top news stories.
▪ now one and now another ▪ She was now laughing, now crying.
even now — see 2even
(every) now and then also (every) now and again
: not often but sometimes
▪ We still see each other (every) now and then. ▪ Now and then she would come in to check on me. ▪ The silence in the house was broken now and again by the ringing of the telephone.
▪ We still see each other (every) now and then. ▪ Now and then she would come in to check on me. ▪ The silence in the house was broken now and again by the ringing of the telephone.
just now — see 2just
now, now 1 — used to tell someone not to be worried or unhappy ▪ Now, now, don't cry. Everything will be all right. You'll see! 2 — used to express criticism or disapproval ▪ Now, now. There's no need to use that kind of language.
now you're talking — see 1talk
right now — see 2right
