already

adverb
al·read·y
/ɔːlˈɹɛdi/

Prior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously.

Example

“I was surprised that she hadn’t already told me the news.”

Other meanings

Indicates the completion of an action (whether past or hypothetical), or more generally, perfective aspect.
“You frame the picture for me already anot?”
Marks a change in state, more or less in the same manner as the inchoative aspect.
“I don’t think he can take it already.”

Related words

alreadiness
that ship has already sailed
always already

Example sentences

“I already know the answer to that.”
Tatoeba · shekitten · CC0
“I already turned my computer off.”
Tatoeba · ddnktr · CC0
“Did they finish the shopping already?”
Tatoeba · Igider · CC0

Word history

From Middle English "alredy" (fully; already).

Where this comes from

This definition is adapted from “already” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; example sentences are from Tatoeba, credited to their authors above, published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.