DictionaryAI

yesterday

YES-tur-day/ˈjɛstɚdeɪ/YES-tuh-day/ˈjɛstədeɪ/

4 meanings of yesterday

Practice

  1. 1
    when it happenedadverb
    On the day just before today.

    We went to the zoo yesterday.

    She called me yesterday about the trip.

    UsageSay yesterday morning, but for the night, usually last night.

    Oppositetomorrow

  2. 2
    the day itselfnoununcountable
    The day that came just before today.

    Yesterday was the best day of our whole trip.

    I can still picture yesterday and everything we did.

    UsageSay yesterday was cold or yesterday's news.

    Oppositetomorrow

  3. 3
    outdated pastnounfigurativelyuncountable
    The past, especially things that feel old or out of date.

    Like an old phone that nobody wants to use anymore.

    Cars built like that belong to yesterday.

    His ideas about work feel stuck in yesterday.

    UsageSay yesterday's news for something no longer interesting.

    Similarpast, yesteryear

    Oppositetomorrow, future

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    right awayadverbcolloquial
    As fast as possible, with no delay at all.

    The boss wants this report finished yesterday.

    We needed those supplies yesterday, so please hurry.

    UsageSay I need it yesterday to mean right now.

    Similarimmediately, now

    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Old English words meaning "yesterday," made from parts meaning "yester-" and "day."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 4 facts