Now
/naʊ/
Definitions
3 meaningsAt the present time; immediately.
/naʊ/
At the present time; immediately; without delay.
I am hungry now.
💡 Simply: It means right this second! Like when your mom says, 'Do your homework now!' or when you get a package and you get to open it now!
👶 For kids: It means 'this moment' or 'right away'. Like, 'Let's play now!'
More Examples
You must leave now.
Now is the time to act.
Now and then, I visit my grandma.
How It's Used
"I'm going to the store now."
"The meeting will commence now."
"Now, gently pour the mixture into the mold."
At this point in a sequence of events or time; from a starting point in the past.
/naʊ/
At this moment in time in a more expanded meaning, from a starting point in the past.
Now that the rain has stopped, we can go outside.
💡 Simply: It's like saying, 'After all that happened, now...' or when your teacher changes subject.
👶 For kids: Now can also be when we're talking about the current topic. For example, 'Now that we've finished our book, let's start on our project.'
More Examples
Now that the investigation is complete, the police can present their case.
Now, after all of this has happened, I'm not sure what to do.
Now he is able to understand the issue in a way that he couldn't before.
How It's Used
"Now, after all this time, I finally understand."
"Now that we've discussed that, let's move on."
Used to introduce a statement or question; as an informal explanation or reason
/naʊ/
Because of the fact that
Now that you are here, let's start.
💡 Simply: Like saying: 'Since this is the case, let's...'.
👶 For kids: This 'now' means something that is happening at the same time as something else. It's like saying, 'Because of something, something else will also happen.'
More Examples
Now that you know, why didn't you tell me?
Now that you have the information, what are you going to do with it?
Now that we have time, let's go out to eat.
How It's Used
"Now that you mention it, I do need to pick up milk"
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
Now and then
Occasionally; from time to time.
"I still visit my hometown now and then."
Up to now
Until this point.
"Up to now, everything has gone smoothly."
From Old English *nū*, from Proto-Germanic *nu*. Cognate with German *nun* and Dutch *nu*.
Used in Old English and throughout history with a similar meaning as it has today, denoting the present moment or a point in time.
Memory tip
Think of 'now' as the present moment, like snapping your fingers.
Word Origin
"At this time; immediately."