now
now
Now (adv) means At this present moment. Example: “I need to leave now or I'll miss the train.”
adv
1
At this present moment.
"I need to leave now or I'll miss the train."
"Now is the perfect time to plant tomatoes."
"The kettle is boiling now, so please come and make the tea."
conj
1
Used to introduce a reason or a shift in the conversation, similar to "since" or "well".
"Now that you mention it, I did see him yesterday."
"Now that the rain has stopped, we can finally go for a walk."
"Now, let's move on to the second item on the agenda."
How to use now
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRight at this moment, or (as a linking word) introducing a new point.
Common pairings
right now
now and then
from now on
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Word forms
- Plural
- nows
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I need to leave _____ or I'll miss the train.
Etymology
From Old English nū, going back to the Proto-Indo-European root for "now" — one of the oldest words in the language, found in nearly identical form across many Indo-European languages.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for now
See all rhymes for now →Frequently asked questions
What does “now” mean?
The word “now” means at this present moment. In plain terms, right at this moment, or (as a linking word) introducing a new point.
How do you pronounce “now”?
“Now” is pronounced now (/naʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “now” in a sentence?
Here is “now” used in a sentence: “I need to leave now or I'll miss the train.”
What part of speech is “now”?
Depending on how it is used, “now” can be an adverb and a conjunction.
Where does the word “now” come from?
The word “now” comes from Old English. From Old English nū, going back to the Proto-Indo-European root for "now" — one of the oldest words in the language, found in nearly identical form across many Indo-European languages.
Is “now” a common word?
“Now” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “now” have?
“Now” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: at this present moment.
What is the difference between 'now' and 'then'?
'Now' refers to the present moment — what is happening at this time. 'Then' refers to another time, either past or future, as in 'back then' or 'see you then.' They are natural opposites: 'now' anchors you in the present, while 'then' points to a different moment on the timeline.
What is the difference between 'now' and 'currently'?
Both describe the present, but 'now' is immediate and informal — 'call me now.' 'Currently' is more formal and suggests an ongoing situation rather than a single instant — 'she is currently studying abroad.' You would say 'do it now,' not 'do it currently.'
What is the opposite of 'now'?
There is no single opposite, but 'then' and 'later' both contrast with 'now.' 'Then' points to another time, past or future; 'later' specifically means after the present moment. 'In the past' and 'in the future' are fuller opposites when you want to stress an entirely different time.
What is an example of 'now' as an adverb?
In 'we need to leave now,' 'now' tells you the action should happen at the present moment. It can also mark a change — 'I understand now' — or open a sentence to shift attention: 'now, let's begin.' Each use points to the present in some way.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing now in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
The company now operates in 35 states, up from eight at launch, as more states loosen restrictions on veterinary telemedicine.
From
Fortune · Jul 25, 2026
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