ago

adjective or adverb

ə-ˈgō 

: earlier than the present time

10 years ago

Synonyms

• since

Examples of ago in a Sentence

he left here long ago

Recent Examples on the Web

Challenger is projecting retailers may add under 500,000 positions in the final three months of 2025, marking the smallest seasonal gain in 16 years and an 8% decline from the year-ago period. —Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2025

And demand for used EVs is up by 22% compared with the year-ago period. —Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 23 Sep. 2025

That helped the streaming business grow its profit, climbing further out of a year-ago loss and offsetting weaker results in film and TV. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025

Net income rose to $216 million, up from $206 million in the year-ago period. —David Moin, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ago, agon, from past participle of agon "to go away, pass by, pass away, come to an end," going back to Old English āgān "to go away, depart, (of time) pass," from ā-, perfective prefix + gān "to go entry 1" — more at abide

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ago

• a long time ago
• long ago
• not long ago
• not so long ago
• some time ago

Rhymes for ago

• acknow
• aglow
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau
• bateau

Kids Definition

ago

adjective or adverb

ə-ˈgō 

: earlier than the present time

many years ago