already

/ɔːlˈɹɛdi/

adverb★Intermediate

general

Before now; by this time; prior to the present moment

She has already finished her homework.

He had already left when I arrived.

💡

Often used to emphasize that something has been completed or occurred earlier than expected.

already donecompleted or finishedalready knownpreviously known or established

already and allphrase

emphasizes that something has already happened

'Already' is often used in questions and negative sentences to emphasize that something has happened sooner than expected.

'Already' is typically used with the present perfect or past perfect tenses (e.g., 'I have already eaten,' 'She had already left').

From Middle English 'alreedi,' from Old English 'eallrǣde,' meaning 'altogether, wholly.'

Used to indicate that an action or event has occurred before the present moment. Often used with perfect tenses (e.g., 'has already done').

all

prefix

ready

prepared or completed

root

✎ Noted on May 2, 2026EN → EN