now
/naʊ/at the present time; immediately
Let's eat now.
The speaker wants to eat immediately.
Now is the time to act.
The speaker is emphasizing the importance of acting at the present moment.
Often used to emphasize urgency or immediacy.
at this moment; currently
I'm busy now.
The speaker is indicating that they are currently occupied.
Now that you mention it...
The speaker is acknowledging a point made by someone else.
Can be used to introduce a new topic or idea.
Collocations
Antonyms
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Emphasizing urgency
Use 'now' to emphasize that something should happen immediately.
Introducing a new topic
Use 'now' to introduce a new topic or idea in a conversation.
⚡Gold Rule
Context matters
The meaning of 'now' can change based on the context in which it is used.
📖Word Origin
Old English 'nū', from Proto-Germanic 'nu', from Proto-Indo-European 'nu'. Related to Dutch 'nu', German 'nun', and Swedish 'nu'.
📝Usage Notes
Can be used as an adverb or noun. As a noun, it refers to the present time.