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View synonyms for

ready

[ red-ee ]

adjective

readier, readiest.
  1. completely prepared or in fit condition for immediate action or use:

    troops ready for battle;

    Dinner is ready.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  2. duly equipped, completed, adjusted, or arranged, as for an occasion or purpose:

    The mechanic called to say that the car is ready.

  3. willing:

    ready to forgive.

    Synonyms: , ,

    Antonyms:

  4. prompt or quick in perceiving, comprehending, speaking, writing, etc.

    Synonyms: , , , , , , , , ,

  5. proceeding from or showing such quickness:

    a ready reply.

  6. prompt or quick in action, performance, manifestation, etc.:

    a keen mind and ready wit.

  7. inclined; disposed; apt:

    too ready to criticize others.

  8. in such a condition as to be imminent; likely at any moment:

    a tree ready to fall.

  9. immediately available for use:

    a ready source of cash.

  10. pertaining to prompt payment.
  11. present or convenient:

    to lie ready to one's hand.



verb (used with object)

readied, readying.
  1. to make ready; prepare.

noun

  1. the state or condition of being ready.
  2. Informal. ready money; cash.

interjection

  1. (used in calling the start of a race to indicate that racers should be prepared to start):

    Ready! Set! Go!

ready

/ ˈɛɪ /

adjective

  1. in a state of completion or preparedness, as for use or action
  2. willing or eager

    ready helpers

  3. prompt or rapid

    a ready response

  4. prenominal quick in perceiving; intelligent

    a ready mind

  5. postpositivefoll byto on the point (of) or liable (to)

    ready to collapse

  6. postpositive conveniently near (esp in the phrase ready to hand )
  7. make ready or get ready
    to prepare oneself or something for use or action
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the ready informal.
    short for ready money
  2. at the ready
    1. poised for use or action

      with pen at the ready

    2. (of a rifle) in the position normally adopted immediately prior to aiming and firing
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. tr to put in a state of readiness; prepare
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Confusables Note

See already.
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Other Word Forms

  • v·𲹻y adjective
  • ·𲹻y adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of ready1

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English redy, early Middle English æ徱, equivalent to Old English ǣ “prompt” + -ig -y 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of ready1

Old English ( ge ) ǣ ; related to Old Frisian ŧ , Old High German reiti , Old Norse reithr ready
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. get ready! (in calling the start of a race) be prepared to start:

    Get ready! Get set! Go!

  2. at the ready, in a condition of readiness, available for immediate use:

    shoppers with their umbrellas at the ready;

    soldiers keeping their weapons at the ready.

  3. make ready,
    1. to bring to a state of readiness or completion; prepare.
    2. Printing. to ready a press for printing.
  4. ready up, British and Australian Slang. to swindle.

More idioms and phrases containing ready

In addition to the idiom beginning with ready , also see at the ready ; get ready ; good and (ready) ; rough and ready .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But adds: "I'm not sure Latin America is ready to take advantage of those opportunities. There will be specific opportunities for sure, but something that changes the game? I don't think so."

From

I make Banana Cake and have it covered and ready in the icebox for a week when I have time to squeeze fresh pink grapefruit juice for both breakfast and sunset cocktails.

From

On Tuesday, Zelensky said he was ready in principle to see Trump in Rome.

From

But it told another that if people have already received an email telling them an item is ready to be collecting, they should be able to go in-store and pick it up.

From

Gurr created the initial design, a “Buck Rogers”-inspired space age vehicle, as Gurr wanted it to feel sleek and ready for liftoff.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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