What does "yesterday" mean?

1. (on the day before today) on the day that happened before today. 2. (the day before today) the day that came before today. 3. (the recent past) the past, especially when you are talking about how things used to be. 4. (immediately) you use this to say you want something done right now or as soon as possible.

How do you use "yesterday"?

Functions as an adverb of time, usually placed at the beginning or end of a clause. Often used as the subject of a sentence with the verb 'to be'. Usually used as an uncountable noun in this figurative sense. Typically follows the preposition 'by'.

yesterday

adv. · n.

US //ˈjɛstɝˌdeɪ// UK //jˈɛstədˌeɪ// yes·ter·day

1 on the day before today (adv.)
A1 Beginner

on the day that happened before today.

occurring on the day immediately preceding the present day.

Example

I went to the cinema with my friends yesterday afternoon.

Example

The shipment arrived yesterday morning, but the warehouse staff were unable to process the inventory until the following shift.

Usage

Functions as an adverb of time, usually placed at the beginning or end of a clause.
- tomorrow
2 the day before today (n.)
A1 Beginner

the day that came before today.

the day immediately preceding today, used as a noun phrase.

Example

Yesterday was a very busy day for the whole family.

Example

Yesterday was the first time the committee had met in person since the restructuring was announced.

Usage

Often used as the subject of a sentence with the verb 'to be'.
- tomorrow

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3 the recent past (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

the past, especially when you are talking about how things used to be.

the past in a general or figurative sense, often contrasted with the present or future.

Example

In the world of technology, last year's phone feels like yesterday.

Example

The politician's speech focused on the future rather than dwelling on the failures of yesterday.

Usage

Usually used as an uncountable noun in this figurative sense.

Teacher's tip

This sense is common in songs, poetry, and journalism to create a nostalgic or dramatic tone.
- past
- history
- today
- tomorrow
4 immediately (adv.)
C1 Advanced Informal Humorous

you use this to say you want something done right now or as soon as possible.

used to express extreme urgency, implying that a task should have been completed already.

Example

The boss wants this report finished by yesterday.

Example

The client is demanding the revised blueprints by yesterday, so we will need to work through the night.

Usage

Typically follows the preposition 'by'.

Teacher's tip

This 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.
- immediately
- instantly

Origin

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”).