already
UK: ɔːlˈrɛdi | US: ɔlˈrɛdi
adv. by this or a specified time; previously
adv. so soon or so early
already = al<all> + ready<prepared>
- al (from Old English eall, meaning "all")
- ready (from Old English rǣde, meaning "prepared" or "prompt")
Etymology Origin:
The word "already" originated in Middle English as a combination of "al" (a variant of "all") and "ready." It originally conveyed the sense of "fully prepared" or "completely ready." Over time, its meaning shifted to emphasize temporal completion ("by this time") or surprise at early occurrence ("so soon"). The fusion reflects how Old English adverbs often combined intensifiers with descriptive terms.
She had already left when I arrived.
Are you finished already? That was quick!
By noon, the tickets were already sold out.
He already knew the answer before I asked.
"You're awake already?" she whispered in surprise.