yesterday
- 01 A1 Beginner
adv.on the day that happened before today.
adv.occurring on the day immediately preceding the present day.
Simple“I went to the cinema with my friends yesterday afternoon.”
In context“The shipment arrived yesterday morning, but the warehouse staff were unable to process the inventory until the following shift.”
UsageFunctions as an adverb of time, usually placed at the beginning or end of a clause.
Antonyms - 02 A1 Beginner
n.the day that came before today.
n.the day immediately preceding today, used as a noun phrase.
Simple“Yesterday was a very busy day for the whole family.”
In context“Yesterday was the first time the committee had met in person since the restructuring was announced.”
UsageOften used as the subject of a sentence with the verb 'to be'.
Antonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the past, especially when you are talking about how things used to be.
n.the past in a general or figurative sense, often contrasted with the present or future.
Simple“In the world of technology, last year's phone feels like yesterday.”
In context“The politician's speech focused on the future rather than dwelling on the failures of yesterday.”
UsageUsually used as an uncountable noun in this figurative sense.
Teacher's tipThis sense is common in songs, poetry, and journalism to create a nostalgic or dramatic tone.
- 04 C1 Advanced
adv.you use this to say you want something done right now or as soon as possible.
adv.used to express extreme urgency, implying that a task should have been completed already.
Simple“The boss wants this report finished by yesterday.”
In context“The client is demanding the revised blueprints by yesterday, so we will need to work through the night.”
UsageTypically follows the preposition 'by'.
Teacher's tipThis is a common workplace idiom. It is physically impossible to finish something 'by yesterday', so it is used to show that someone is being very demanding.
Synonyms
From Middle English yesterday, yisterday, ȝesterdai, ȝisterdai, from Old English ġiestrandæġ, ġister dæġ, ġestor dæġ, ġeostran dæġ (“yesterday”), by surface analysis, yester- + day. Cognate with Scots yisterday, yesterday (“yesterday”), Saterland Frisian jässendeeg, järsendeges (“yesterday”, adverb), West Frisian justerdei (“yesterday”), Dutch gisterdag (“yesterday”), dialectal German gestertag (“yesterday”), Swedish gårdag (“yesterday”), Gothic 𐌲𐌹𐍃𐍄𐍂𐌰𐌳𐌰𐌲𐌹𐍃 (gistradagis, “tomorrow”, adverb). Compare further Dutch gisteren (“yesterday”), German gestern (“yesterday”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.