again
- 1
- 2Back to how or where something was before, as in 'I feel well again'.
Like a swing that comes back to where it started.
After the long trip, it felt good to be home again.
After weeks of rain, the garden finally looked green again.
UsageOften with be or feel: be home again, feel like yourself again.
Note
- 3Used when you ask someone to repeat an answer you have forgotten.
Like asking a friend to repeat directions you didn't quite catch.
What was her name again?
Where did you say the meeting is again?
UsagePut it at the end when you forgot: what's her name again?
- 4Used to say the same thing is true or comes up once more, as in 'again, we see the same problem'.
Like saying 'same thing here' when the same problem shows up twice.
Here again, the main problem is that we have too little money.
Again, in the second test, the results matched.
Note
- 5Used when you say your own question or words one more time.
Like repeating yourself slowly so everyone finally hears you.
I'll ask again: who left the door open?
So, again, please do not park in front of the gate.
UsagePut it first to repeat your point: Again, it wasn't me.
Note
- 6Used to show the other side of something, mostly in 'then again'.
Like turning a coin over to look at the other side.
I would like to go, but again, the journey is long and hard.
He is clever, but again, he can be careless.
UsageOften after but: but again or but then again.
Note
- 7Used to add another point to what was said before.
Like adding 'and another thing' when you list more reasons.
The plan costs too much, and again, it would take years to finish.
Walking to work keeps you fit. Again, it saves you money.
Similarmoreover, besides, furthermore, also
Less common meanings
- 8Used after words like half or as much to add that part of an amount on top of the whole amount.
Like having one full cup, then pouring in half a cup more.
My new phone cost half as much again as my old one.
The new tank holds half again as much water as the old one.
UsageHalf again as big means one and a half times as big.
Note
- 9Back in return, as an answer to what someone did.
So women are never angrie, but to the end a man should againe be angrie with them, therein imitating the lawes of Love.
1603, Michel de Montaigne, The EssayesHere, againe means back in return, so the man gets angry in response.Note
- 10Against, or pressed up close to something.
You may think you are all on the same side, agin the government.
2003, Glasgow Sunday Herald, column 2Here, agin means against, so they all oppose the government.And here begynneth the treson of Kynge Marke that he ordayned agayne Sir Trystram.
1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte DarthurHere, agayne means against, so the plot was aimed at Sir Trystram.Similaragainst
Note
- 11Somewhere else, in another place.
There is not, in the world again, such a spring and seminary of brave military people as in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
a. 1627 (date written), Francis [Bacon], “Considerations Touching a Warre with Spaine.”Here, again means anywhere else, in any other place in the world.Note
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Practice
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Origin
From Old English onġēan, meaning "against" or "again." It is related to Danish and Swedish igen ("again").
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- Again derives from Old English onġēan, meaning “against” or “again”. en.wiktionary.org
- Again is related to Danish and Swedish igen, meaning “again”. en.wiktionary.org