Now — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adverb conjunction noun adjective abbreviation /ˈnau̇/

Meaning & Definition of Now

Now (adverb)

  1. at the present time or moment
  2. in the time immediately before the present
  3. in the time immediately to follow, forthwith

Now (conjunction)

  1. in view of the fact that, since —often followed by that

Now (noun)

  1. the present time or moment

Now (adjective)

  1. of or relating to the present time, existing
  2. excitingly new
  3. constantly aware of what is new

Now (abbreviation)

  1. National Organization for Women

Now (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. at the present time

    "that company doesn't make those toys now because they are unsafe"

    similar: anymore, currently, nowadays, presently, right now, today, at present, for the time being
    related: here
    opposite: before, formerly, long, once, then
    near: away, far, farthest, remotest, heretofore, hitherto, since, ago, previously

  2. not long ago

    "I was just now wondering what to do about those old clothes"

    similar: freshly, just, late, lately, new, newly, only, recently, of late
    related: latterly
    opposite: anciently
    near: ago, before, earlier, early, erstwhile, formerly, previously, heretofore, hitherto

  3. on some occasions

    "goes now here, now there—all seemingly without plan or purpose"

    similar: here and there, now and then, occasionally, sometimes, at times, ever and anon, every now and then, from time to time, once in a while, on occasion
    related: intermittently, off and on, periodically, recurrently, infrequently, little, rarely, seldom, irregularly, sporadically, variously
    near: frequently, hourly, much, oft, often, oftentimes, commonly, ordinarily, regularly, routinely, usually, always, consistently, constantly, invariably, continually, continuingly, continuously, incessantly, perpetually, unceasingly, uninterruptedly, endlessly, ever, interminably

  4. without delay

    "come here right now"

    similar: bang, directly, forthwith, headlong, immediately, incontinently, instantaneously, instanter, instantly, PDQ, plumb, presently, promptly, pronto, right, right away, right now, right off, straight off, straightaway, straightway, at once, in no time, off the bat, on a dime, on the double, on the spot
    related: away, freely, anon, momentarily, shortly, soon, apace, briskly, fast, fleetly, full tilt, posthaste, quick, quickly, rapidly, readily, snappily, speedily, swift, swiftly, abruptly, presto, suddenly, unexpectedly, hastily, impetuously, impulsively, rashly, recklessly, exactly, opportunely, punctually, seasonably
    near: slowly, late, tardily

Now (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. keenly aware of and responsive to the latest developments especially in fashion and entertainment

    "questioned the moral values of the now generation"

    similar: au courant, cool (slang), def (slang), downtown, groovy, hep, hip, in, mod, trendy, turned-on, with-it
    related: à la mode, chic, fashionable, modish, sharp, smart, snappy, stylish, voguish
    opposite: out, uncool, unhip, untrendy
    near: geeky, nerdish, nerdy, dowdy, styleless, unfashionable, unstylish

Now (conjunction) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. for the reason that

    "I'll repeat my question now that you are paying attention"

    similar: 'cause, as, as long as, because, being (as or as how or that) (chiefly dialect), considering, for, inasmuch as, seeing, since, whereas

Now (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the time currently existing or in progress

    "I know I said you could go, but that was then and this is now"

    similar: here and now, moment, present, today
    related: phase, stage, state
    near: history, past, yesterday, yesteryear, yore, by-and-by, future, futurity, hereafter, offing, tomorrow

Related Entry: Now and then (adverb)

Now and then is a different word from Now. The synonyms below are for now and then, not for now.

  1. on some occasions

    "we do go to the library now and then, but not as often as we should"

    similar: here and there, now, occasionally, sometimes, at times, ever and anon, every now and then, from time to time, once in a while, on occasion
    related: intermittently, off and on, periodically, recurrently, infrequently, little, rarely, seldom, irregularly, sporadically, variously
    near: frequently, hourly, much, oft, often, oftentimes, commonly, ordinarily, regularly, routinely, usually, always, consistently, constantly, invariably, continually, continuingly, continuously, incessantly, perpetually, unceasingly, uninterruptedly, endlessly, ever, interminably

Related Entry: Here and now (noun)

Here and now is a different word from Now. The synonyms below are for here and now, not for now.

  1. the time currently existing or in progress

    "while we can plan for the future, we must first deal with the here and now"

    similar: moment, now, present, today
    related: phase, stage, state
    near: history, past, yesterday, yesteryear, yore, by-and-by, future, futurity, hereafter, offing, tomorrow

Related Entry: Right now (adverb)

Right now is a different word from Now. The synonyms below are for right now, not for now.

  1. at the present time

    "right now we are in the middle of a major home renovation"

    similar: anymore, currently, now, nowadays, presently, today, at present, for the time being
    related: here
    opposite: before, formerly, long, once, then
    near: away, far, farthest, remotest, heretofore, hitherto, since, ago, previously

  2. without delay

    "answer my question right now"

    similar: bang, directly, forthwith, headlong, immediately, incontinently, instantaneously, instanter, instantly, now, PDQ, plumb, presently, promptly, pronto, right, right away, right off, straight off, straightaway, straightway, at once, in no time, off the bat, on a dime, on the double, on the spot
    related: away, freely, anon, momentarily, shortly, soon, apace, briskly, fast, fleetly, full tilt, posthaste, quick, quickly, rapidly, readily, snappily, speedily, swift, swiftly, abruptly, presto, suddenly, unexpectedly, hastily, impetuously, impulsively, rashly, recklessly, exactly, opportunely, punctually, seasonably
    near: slowly, late, tardily

Related Entry: Every now and then (phrase)

Every now and then is a different word from Now. The synonyms below are for every now and then, not for now.

  1. on some occasions

    "The family likes to take a vacation in France every now and then."

    "Every now and again the two friends quarrel but they never hold grudges."

    similar: here and there, now, now and then, occasionally, sometimes, at times, ever and anon, from time to time, once in a while, on occasion
    related: intermittently, off and on, periodically, recurrently, infrequently, little, rarely, seldom, irregularly, sporadically, variously
    near: frequently, hourly, much, oft, often, oftentimes, commonly, ordinarily, regularly, routinely, usually, always, consistently, constantly, invariably, continually, continuingly, continuously, incessantly, perpetually, unceasingly, uninterruptedly, endlessly, ever, interminably

Related Entry: Every (adjective)

Every is a different word from Now. The synonyms below are for every, not for now.

  1. being one of a group

    "every man here must decide for himself whether to go or to stay and fight"

    similar: any, each, each and every
    related: all, several, various, particular, respective, specific, either
    near: neither, no, none (archaic)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Now

The most common words with a similar meaning to Now:

Slang: cool, def
Chiefly dialect: being (as or as how or that)
anymore, currently, nowadays, presently, right now, today, freshly, just, late, lately, new, newly, only, recently, here and there, now and then, occasionally, sometimes, bang, directly, forthwith, headlong, immediately, incontinently, instantaneously, instanter, instantly, PDQ, plumb, promptly, pronto, right, right away, right off, straight off, straightaway, straightway, at present, for the time being, of late

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Now

Words with the opposite meaning of Now:

before, formerly, long, once, then, anciently, out, uncool, unhip, untrendy

Related Words for Now

here, latterly, intermittently, off and on, periodically, recurrently, infrequently, little, rarely, seldom, irregularly, sporadically, variously, away, freely, anon, momentarily, shortly, soon, apace, briskly, fast, fleetly, full tilt, posthaste, quick, quickly, rapidly, readily, snappily

Near Antonyms of Now

away, far, farthest, remotest, heretofore, hitherto, since, ago, previously, earlier, early, erstwhile, frequently, hourly, much, oft, often, oftentimes, commonly, ordinarily, regularly, routinely, usually, always, consistently, constantly, invariably, continually, continuingly, continuously

Origin & Etymology of Now

Middle English, from Old English nū; akin to Old High German nū now, Latin nunc, Greek nyn

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Now

Words & Phrases Containing Now

now and then, now, now, now you're talking, every now and then, here and now

Frequently Asked Questions about Now

What does "Now" mean?

"Now" means at the present time or moment. As an an adverb, a conjunction, a noun, an adjective and an abbreviation, it is defined as: at the present time or moment. It has 7 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Now"?

Other words for "Now" include anymore, currently, nowadays, presently, right now, today, freshly and just. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Now" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Now"?

There are 136 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Now". Common alternatives include anymore, currently, nowadays, presently, right now, today, freshly, just, late and lately.

What is the opposite of "Now"?

Antonyms of "Now" include before, formerly, long, once, then, anciently, out and uncool. Near antonyms include away, far, farthest and remotest.

How do you use "Now" in a sentence?

Examples of "Now" in a sentence: "that company doesn't make those toys now because they are unsafe"; "I was just now wondering what to do about those old clothes"; "goes now here, now there—all seemingly without plan or purpose".

Is "Now" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Now" can be used as an adverb, a conjunction, a noun, an adjective and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

Is "Now" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Now" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Now"?

"Now" is pronounced /ˈnau̇/.