now

1. 1
   adverb

   At the present time, often in contrast with the past or showing that things have changed.

   The village is now a suburb.

   She now works from home.

2. 2
   adverb

   Right away, with no waiting, especially when ordering, asking, or urging someone to do something.

   Order now and get free shipping on your first purchase.

   "Everyone out of the building now!" the firefighter shouted.

   UsageUsually last in a command, with stress: out now! Right now or this minute is stronger.

   Similarimmediately, instantly

   Oppositelater

   Note

   Urgency turns an ordinary time word into a push. In a plain statement, the same word usually just means at the present time.

3. 3
   well thenadverb

   Used at the start of a sentence to introduce a point, to get attention, or to urge, warn or scold.

   Now, where were we?

   Now, that is not quite true.

   UsageComes first, often with a comma, to turn to a new point. Now, now soothes someone or gently scolds them.

   Similarwell, so

   Note

   Here the word lets go of time and works on the conversation instead. In argument it turns to a new point ('Now all this was very fine, but…'). Addressed to a person, it becomes a gentle check: in a 1949 magazine story, 'Now, Harry' is enough to rebuke a tease. Context, not the clock, separates it from the 'at this moment' sense. Source

   Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

   • The quoted words occur in The Celebrity, in the narrator's commentary. gutenberg.org
   • The magazine story containing the dialogue is dated 1949. en.wiktionary.org
   • The story contains “Now, Harry” as a response checking a teasing remark. en.wiktionary.org
4. 4
   sinceconjunction

   Since, because, in the light of a change that has happened; usually in the form 'now that' ('now that the shop is open, we can buy milk').

   Now that you mention it, I did hear a noise.

   Now the exams are over, she can relax.

   UsageNow that you mention it is a fixed reply when you suddenly remember or notice something.

   Similarsince, as

   Note

   The conjunction joins a change in circumstances to its consequence, so it carries time and cause at once: the shop has opened, and that is why we can buy milk.

5. 5
   noununcountable

   The present time or moment, as opposed to the past or future.

   From now on, we lock the door.

   By now they will have landed.

   UsageUse no article in from now on, by now, and until now. Compare live in the now.

   Note

   Adding 'the' shifts it toward the mindful present, as in live in the now, and the plural 'nows' belongs to the philosopher's countable instant.

6. 6
   adverb

   At the time reached in a narration ('by evening she now knew the truth'), the story's present rather than the speaker's.

   She now understood what the letter meant.

   The road now turned toward the sea.

   UsageIn stories it can go with a past verb: she now understood, the house was now silent.

   Similarthen

   Note

   The puzzle of this use is the tense. 'Now' sits comfortably beside a past verb ('she now saw the danger', 'the house was now silent') because it points at the moment the story has reached, not at the reader's present. That pairing of a present-moment word with past-tense narration lets prose follow events from inside the story.

7. 7
   adjective

   Present or current at the time being referred to, especially the time of writing.

   She was teaching English abroad when she met her now husband, a fellow teacher from Ohio.

   The letter was addressed to the now duchess, who was then a shop assistant in Leeds.

   UsageBefore a noun, often when looking back: She met her now husband at college, before they were married.

   Similarcurrent, present

   Oppositeformer

   Note

   Here the time word stands before a noun and pins a description to the present while leaving the past open. Older English law reports use it to keep roles straight after two parties have traded places: 'the now defendant was plaintiff, and the now plaintiff was defendant'. 'The now United States' works the same way, naming a territory by what it has since become. Source

   Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

   • Older English law reports use the quoted wording to distinguish parties whose plaintiff and defendant roles have reversed. en.wiktionary.org
   • The expression 'the now United States' occurs in historical prose describing territory by its later identity. en.wiktionary.org

Showing meanings only. Show all 13