ready
7 synonyms and 1 antonyms for ready, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Fully prepared for something and able to act immediately.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use ready
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English rǣde/ġerǣde ("prepared, ready"), from a Germanic root meaning "to arrange or make comfortable."
Full origin of ready →Frequently asked questions
What does “ready” mean?
The word “ready” means fully prepared for something and able to act immediately. In plain terms, fully prepared, or made prepared, for something.
How do you pronounce “ready”?
“Ready” is pronounced REHD-ee (/ˈɹɛd.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “ready” in a sentence?
Here is “ready” used in a sentence: “Are you ready to go?”
What is another word for “ready”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ready” include good to go.
What is the opposite of “ready”?
The opposite of “ready” — its antonyms — is unready.
What part of speech is “ready”?
Depending on how it is used, “ready” can be an adjective, a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “ready” come from?
The word “ready” comes from Old English. From Old English rǣde/ġerǣde ("prepared, ready"), from a Germanic root meaning "to arrange or make comfortable.".
Is “ready” a common word?
“Ready” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between ready and prepared?
The words overlap, but 'prepared' stresses the work done beforehand, while 'ready' stresses the result — being able to act right now. You prepare for an exam by studying, and once that is done you are ready to sit it. Someone can feel prepared yet still not quite ready to begin.
What is the opposite of ready?
The main opposite is unprepared or not ready — lacking what is needed to act. Depending on context you might say unready, unprepared, or, for things still being worked on, 'not yet finished.' A runner who has not warmed up, or a meal still cooking, is not ready.
What does it mean to be ready for something?
It means you are fully prepared and can act immediately, with nothing important left to do first. Being ready for a trip means bags are packed and you can leave; being ready for a challenge means you have the skills, mindset, and resources to face it without delay.