Definition of 'now'

Word Frequency

now

(naʊ )

1. adverb

You use now to refer to the present time, often in contrast to a time in the past or the future.

She's a widow now.

But we are now a much more fragmented society.

Coffee now costs well over 3 dollars a kilo.

She should know that by now.

Now is also a pronoun.

Now is the time when we must all live as economically as possible.

2. adverb [ADVERB after verb]

If you do something now, you do it immediately.

I'm sorry, but I must go now.

I fear that if I don't write now I shall never have another opportunity to do so.

Now is also a pronoun.

Now is your chance to talk to him.

3. conjunction

You use now or now that to indicate that an event has occurred and as a result something else may or will happen.

Now you're settled, why don't you take up some serious study?

Now that she was retired she lived with her sister.

4. adverb [ADVERB before verb]

You use now to indicate that a particular situation is the result of something that has recently happened.

She told me not to repeat it, but now I don't suppose it matters.

Diplomats now expect the mission to be much less ambitious.

5. adverb

In stories and accounts of past events, now is used to refer to the particular time that is being written or spoken about.

She felt a little better now.

It was too late now for Blake to lock his room door.

By now it was completely dark outside.

6. adverb [ADVERB with verb, noun ADVERB]

You use now in statements which specify the length of time up to the present that something has lasted.

They've been married now for 30 years.

They have been missing for a long time now.

It's some days now since I heard anything.

7. adverb

You say 'Now' or 'Now then' to indicate to the person or people you are with that you want their attention, or that you are about to change the subject.

[spoken]

'Now then,' Max said, 'to get back to the point.'

She stays at school for drama and doesn't get back till nine. Now, what's everyone drinking?

Now then, laddie, what's the trouble?

Now, can we move on and discuss the vital business of the day, please.

8. adverb [ADVERB cl]

Some people say 'Now' when they are thinking of what to say next.

[spoken]

Now, er, dogs can live to fifteen.

Now, erm, obviously some of our listeners may have some ideas.

9. adverb

You use now to give a slight emphasis to a request or command.

[spoken]

Come on now. You know you must be hungry.

Come and sit down here, now.

Now don't talk so loud and bother him, honey.

10. adverb

You can say 'Now' to introduce information which is relevant to the part of a story or account that you have reached, and which needs to be known before you can continue.

[spoken]

My son went to Almeria in Southern Spain. Now he is someone who loves a quiet holiday.

Now, I hadn't told him these details, so he must have done some research on his own.

11. adverb

You say 'Now' to introduce something which contrasts with what you have just said.

[spoken]

Now, if it was me, I'd want to do more than just change the locks.

12.

now and again

13.

any day/moment/time now

14.

now for

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

Video: pronunciation of 'now'

Word Frequency

now in British

(naʊ )

adverb

at or for the present time or moment

at this exact moment; immediately

in these times; nowadays

given the present circumstances

now we'll have to stay to the end

5. (preceded by just)

very recently

she left just now

6. (often preceded by just)

very soon

he is leaving just now

7. now and again

8. for now

9. now now!

10. now then

conjunction

11. (subordinating; often foll by that)

seeing that; since it has become the case that

now you're in charge, things will be better

sentence connector

12.

used as a transitional particle or hesitation word

now, I can't really say

used for emphasis

now listen to this

used at the end of a command, esp in dismissal

run along, now

noun

13.

the present moment or time

now is the time to go

adjective

14. informal

of the moment; fashionable

the now look is street fashion

Word origin of 'now'

Old English nū; compare Old Saxon nū, German nun, Latin nunc, Greek nu

Word Frequency

NOW in American

(naʊ ; nou)

National Organization for Women

negotiable order of withdrawal

Word Frequency

now in American

(naʊ ; nou)

adverb

at the present time; at this moment

at once

at the time referred to; then; next

now his joy began

at a time very close to the present

; specif.,

very recently; not long ago

with just

he left just now

very soon

often with just

they are leaving just now

given the situation; with things as they are

now we'll never know what happened

conjunction

since; seeing that

now you've arrived, I can stop worrying

noun

the present time

that's all for now

adjective

of the present or current time

the now generation

interjection

used to signify warning, reproach, etc.

now, be careful!

used with no definite meaning, to provide emphasis or to preface or resume one's remarks

now, I'd been waiting a long time for a chance to get even with him

10.

used to express sympathy, concern, consolation, etc. when repeated

now, now—it's not so bad after all!

Idioms:

now and then

Word origin of 'now'

ME < OE nu, akin to ON Goth, OHG nu < IE base *nu- > Gr nu, L nunc

Example sentences containing 'now'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

What is now easy used to be difficult. Times, Sunday Times (2017)What does the world need right now? Times, Sunday Times (2016)We need to go on a run now. The Sun (2016)What will my life look like now? Times, Sunday Times (2016)The option of share buybacks looks tricky just now because of notional losses on recent buybacks. Times, Sunday Times (2017)That offer you waited for may now come through. The Sun (2016)The curfew is now back in place in three areas. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The merger could now face months of delays. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Now it is time to focus on the power of vegetables. Times, Sunday Times (2017)It is now 15 years since that terrible day. Times, Sunday Times (2016)There was little finesse now used to clear an area. Oliver Poole BLACK KNIGHTS: On the Bloody Road to Baghdad (2003) Right now that sounds a fair bit more appealing than dodging wildebeest. Times, Sunday Times (2016)We now find ourselves looking for hope. Christianity Today (2000)Now they are just three points above the drop zone. The Sun (2014)You may step now directly to your cars. Times, Sunday Times (2010)They are now back behind bars where they belong. Times, Sunday Times (2012)You look around here and most of the people have got a smile on their faces now. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Now is the time to plant asparagus for a crop next year. Times, Sunday Times (2009)These horses now have to take the next step. Times, Sunday Times (2009)She was off work for one year but is now fully recovered and has a beautiful daughter. Times, Sunday Times (2006)Now you should go home and sleep. Zindell, David The Broken God (1993)Now it becomes clear that any number of politicians are in the frame. Times, Sunday Times (2006)The web is all about the now. Times, Sunday Times (2014)You imply the other person must now agree with you. Atkinson, Jacqueline M Coping with Stress at Work (1988)Now you can use them at home to give a rosy hue to your festive champagne. Times, Sunday Times (2007)They are now on the run. Times, Sunday Times (2012)But it is now 112 games since his last league goal. The Sun (2012)Now she says she wants us to be together, that it was all down to stress. The Sun (2010)