# yesterday

/ˈjɛstɝˌdeɪ/ (US) · /jˈɛstədˌeɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/yesterday
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. on the day before today

adverb · CEFR A1

on the day that happened before today.

For teachers: occurring on the day immediately preceding the present day.

- I went to the cinema with my friends yesterday afternoon.
- 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.

### 2. the day before today

noun · CEFR A1

the day that came before today.

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

- Yesterday was a very busy day for the whole family.
- 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'.

### 3. the recent past

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

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

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

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

Teaching tip: This sense is common in songs, poetry, and journalism to create a nostalgic or dramatic tone.

### 4. immediately

adverb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

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

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

- The boss wants this report finished by yesterday.
- The client is demanding the revised blueprints by yesterday, so we will need to work through the night.

Usage: Typically follows the preposition 'by'.

Teaching 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.

## Examples

- Yesterday was a very busy day for me.
- I finished all my homework yesterday so I could relax during the weekend.
- While we often focus on the future, we must remember that yesterday provides the lessons necessary to navigate the challenges of tomorrow.

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