"already" means prior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously. It is one of many casual words teens pick up from friends, social media, music or sport, and on its own it carries no particular warning. If you hear your teen use it, it is fair to ask what they mean by it in their friend group, since meanings drift quickly. Asking out of curiosity rather than alarm tends to keep the conversation open and useful.
already
Prior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously.
ɔːlˈɹɛdiDocumented since 1900s1900sSilenthistoricalCurrent234 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026＋ Add a definition
Seen in the wild
4 citations · last seen May 2026
Etymology timeline
Born ~1903 · 1 year of recorded use20th centurySee decade cohort →
Seen in the wild
RedditMay 2026
If you’re serious about cryogenics then surely you’d want to be frozen in your prime? Imagine being revived only to die five minutes later because your body was frozen when already decrepit.
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RedditApr 2026
Is it a good idea to get a job in secondary school? A couple of my classmates are thinking of getting part time jobs at places like Mc Donalds or something like that and the girl sitting beside me in math class has al…
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RedditApr 2026
Bartending at Gay Bars Hey, i’m about to start my WHV and I’m really excited I just have a few concerns about the Job market especially in Big cities like Sydney and Melbs. I’m 20yo and wouldn’t mind to work at a Gay…
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RedditApr 2026
What are good copes for neurodivergent men? I tried to watch videos for advice prior but it didn't seem helpful. It didn't seem towards neurodivergent men. What are some actually worthwhile copes for neurodivergen…
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YouTube
on my phone gaming already. So, if
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Definitions
Global
#1·Apr 27, 2026Global
Prior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously.
I was surprised that she hadn’t already told me the news.
Origin: From , equivalent to . Cognate with , , , , alreids , , , . More at all, ready. The use as an intensifier in American English is a , attested from 1903. In Singapore English, the use of already as a marker of action completion and change of state is analogous to , and . Compare and ,. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents
"already" means prior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously. It is one of many casual words teens pick up from friends, social media, music or sport, and on its own it carries no particular warning. If you hear your teen use it, it is fair to ask what they mean by it in their friend group, since meanings drift quickly. Asking out of curiosity rather than alarm tends to keep the conversation open and useful.
For ESL learners
"already" is informal English meaning prior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously. It is used widely across English varieties. A more formal or neutral equivalent would be something like "prior to some specified time" expressed in standard vocabulary. A common mistake is to assume "already" can replace its standard equivalent in every register; keep it for spoken or casual situations and use the formal form in writing. If you are a B2 or C1 learner, it is useful to recognise this word when you hear or read it, but think carefully about whether the situation really calls for it before using it yourself.
Heard in the wild
“all that good stuff. And they've already”
“games? And if you're already on your”
“on my phone gaming already. So, if”
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SG-MY
#2·Apr 27, 2026SG-MY
(Singapore, Singlish) perfective aspect]].
Heard in the wild
“If you’re serious about cryogenics then surely you’d want to be frozen in your prime? Imagine being revived only to die five minutes later because your body was frozen when already decrepit.”
— r/NoStupidQuestions· May 2026“Is it a good idea to get a job in secondary school? A couple of my classmates are thinking of getting part time jobs at places like Mc Donalds or something like that and the girl sitting beside me in math class has already applied for one. So is it a good idea to get a job now or wait until later in life? (I live in Singapore where the minimum age you can start working is 13)”
— r/GenAlpha· Apr 2026“Bartending at Gay Bars Hey, i’m about to start my WHV and I’m really excited I just have a few concerns about the Job market especially in Big cities like Sydney and Melbs. I’m 20yo and wouldn’t mind to work at a Gay Bar i’d appreciate any tips or advice from fellow gay bartenders. (I already have the RSV) (I’ll be in Aus end of August maybe this info is important)”
— r/AskAnAustralian· Apr 2026“What are good copes for neurodivergent men? I tried to watch videos for advice prior but it didn't seem helpful. It didn't seem towards neurodivergent men. What are some actually worthwhile copes for neurodivergent men? I have some already, but i wanted to gain more insight into others”
— r/GenZ· Apr 2026
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Global
#3·Apr 27, 2026Global
(US, CA) An intensifier used to emphasize impatience or express exasperation.
I still haven't seen that movie. I hope you haven't already seen it either.
Cluster: intensifier
Heard in the wild
“on my phone gaming already. So, if”
“all that good stuff. And they've already”
“games? And if you're already on your”
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
Used in
GlobalSG-MY
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Other words near "already" (A)
alphabet soupalpha-dogalpha fucks, beta bucksalpha paperalpha widowalpine saxifragealreetalrightAlsatiaAlsatianALSeralt.1der
Browse all slang words starting with A.