already

Meaning

Adverb

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

Origin

• From Middle English alredy, alredi, equivalent to al- + ready. Compare Dutch alreeds ("already"), Afrikaans alreeds ("already"), Middle Low German alreide, alreids, Danish allerede, Swedish allaredan, Norwegian Nynorsk allereie. More at all, ready.