ENGLISH
REFERENCE

now

adv. · conj. · n. · adj.
US //ˈnaʊ// UK //nˈaʊ// now
  1. 1 at this moment (adv.)
    A1 Beginner

    at the present time or right away.

    at the current moment or in the immediate future.

    Example

    I am busy now, but I can help you in ten minutes.

    Example

    The software is now available for download, following several months of rigorous beta testing by the development team.
  2. 2 introducing a new point (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    used to start a new sentence when you want to change the subject or give a warning.

    used as a discourse marker to introduce a new topic, a qualification, or a mild rebuke.

    Example

    Now, let's look at the next page of the book.

    Example

    Now, it is important to realize that these figures are only estimates and may change before the final report is published.
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  1. 3 because of a new situation (conj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    used to explain that something is happening because a situation has changed.

    used to introduce a clause that explains a present situation or result; often functions as 'since' or 'because'.

    Example

    Now that the rain has stopped, we can go for a walk.

    Example

    Now that the merger is complete, the combined entity expects to see significant growth in the European market.
  2. 4 the present time (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the time that is happening right at this moment.

    the present time or the immediate moment, often used after a preposition.

    Example

    Up until now, we haven't had any problems with the car.

    Example

    The philosopher argued that we should focus on the here and now rather than worrying about an uncertain future.
  3. 5 fashionable (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    very modern and popular at this time.

    currently fashionable or trendy; often used in media or marketing contexts.

    Example

    That style of jacket is very now.

    Example

    The magazine features all the most now designers who are shaping the aesthetic of the current decade.
Etymology 1

From Middle English now, nou, nu, from Old English nū, from Proto-West Germanic nū, from Proto-Germanic nu, from Proto-Indo-European *nū (“now”). Doublet of nu ("well?"). Cognates Cognate with Scots noo, nou, now (“now”), Yola neow, now, nowe (“now”), North Frisian nü (“now”), Saterland Frisian nu (“now”), West Frisian no (“now”), Dutch nu, nou (“now”), German nu, nun (“now”), Limburgish noe, Nuu (“now”), Danish, Swedish nu (“now”), Elfdalian nų (“now”), Faroese nú, núgv (“now”), Icelandic nú, núna (“now”), Norwegian Bokmål nu, nå (“now”), Norwegian Nynorsk no, nu, nå (“now”), Gothic 𐌽𐌿 (nu, “now”), Latin num (“even now, whether”), Latin nunc (“now”), Albanian ni (“now”), Lithuanian nù (“now”), Avestan 𐬥𐬏 (nū, “now”), Sanskrit नु (nu, “now”).

Etymology 2

See know.

Word family
Idioms9 entries

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