now

¹now

adv \ˈnau̇\

Definition of NOW

1

a : at the present time or moment b : in the time immediately before the present <thought of them just now> c : in the time immediately to follow : forthwith <come in now>

2

—used with the sense of present time weakened or lost to express command, request, or admonition <now hear this> <now you be sure to write>

3

—used with the sense of present time weakened or lost to introduce an important point or indicate a transition (as of ideas) <now, this may seem reasonable at first>

4

: sometimes <now one and now another>

5

: under the present circumstances

6

: at the time referred to <now the trouble began>

7

: by this time <has been teaching now for twenty years>

Examples of NOW

1. We were having trouble before, but everything's okay now.
2. I'm feeling much better now, thank you.
3. I love you now and I'll love you forever.
4. Now's the time for action.
5. “And now,” he said, “all we have to do is wait.”
6. “Can we talk?” “Not now. I'm really busy.”
7. He knows now that he was wrong.
8. Police have now identified the man who they believe stole the car.
9. Scientists now believe that the bones belong to a different species of reptile.
10. the now famous photograph of an American sailor kissing his young wife

Origin of NOW

Middle English, from Old English nū; akin to Old High German nū now, Latin nunc, Greek nyn

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to NOW

Synonyms: anymore, currently, nowadays, presently, right now, today, at present, for the time being

Antonyms: before, formerly, long, once, then

Related Words: here

Near Antonyms: away, far, farthest, remotest; heretofore, hitherto, since; ago, previously

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with NOW

bough, bow, brow, Chao, chow, ciao, cow, dhow, Dou, dow, Dow, Frau, hao, how, howe, jow, Lao, Liao, mow, ow, plow, pow, prau, prow, Rao, row, scow, slough, sough, sow, Tao, tau, thou, vow, wow