now

/naʊ/

at the present time

We need to leave now.

The speaker is emphasizing the urgency of leaving immediately.

general

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.

general

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

now thatsince or because of the current situationright nowat this very momentfrom now onstarting at the present time and continuing into the future

immediately or not at all

occasionally

Use 'now' to emphasize that something should happen immediately.

Use 'now' to introduce a new topic or idea in a conversation.

The meaning of 'now' can change based on the context in which it is used.

Old English 'nū', from Proto-Germanic 'nu', from Proto-Indo-European 'nu'. Related to Dutch 'nu', German 'nun', and Swedish 'nu'.

Can be used as an adverb or noun. As a noun, it refers to the present time.

now

the present time

root

English Dictionary