ready

1 of 2

adjective

ˈre-dē 

readier; readiest

1

a

: prepared mentally or physically for some experience or action

b

: prepared for immediate use

dinner is ready

2

a

: willingly disposed : inclined

ready to agree to his proposal

b

: likely to do something indicated

a house that looks ready to collapse

3

: displayed readily and spontaneously

a ready wit

4

: immediately available

had ready cash

ready

2 of 2

verb

readied; readying

transitive verb

: to make ready

Phrases

at the ready

: ready for immediate use

kept guns at the ready

Synonyms

Adjective

• fit
• go
• prepared
• set

Verb

• equip
• fit
• prepare
• qualify
• season
• train

Choose the Right Synonym for ready

quick, prompt, ready, apt mean able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability.

quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

quick reflexes

a keen quick mind

prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

prompt emergency medical care

ready suggests facility or fluency in response.

backed by a pair of ready assistants

apt stresses the possession of qualities (such as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible.

an apt student

her answer was apt and to the point

Examples of ready in a Sentence

Adjective

I'll be ready in 10 minutes.

“Can we leave now?” “I'm ready when you are.”

Your prescription will be ready in about 20 minutes.

The car won't be ready until tomorrow.

We got everything ready for the party before the guests arrived.

Verb

They readied the room for guests.

She readied herself to speak.

We have to ready ourselves for a tough fight ahead.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The startup had been working the past few years on three species: the mammoth, their marquee animal, which Lamm estimates will be ready by 2028, plus the dodo and the thylacine, a marsupial also known as the Tamsanian tiger. —Andrea Marks, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2025

With only four games remaining in the regular season, the Magic are ready to face the Hawks twice in five days. —Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025

Verb

Other countries are also readying their own countertariffs. —Yun Li, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025

Incendiary Swedish rockers The Hives are readying themselves for a big year, with a new album announced alongside a global run of tour dates. —Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English redy; akin to Old English gerǣde ready, Goth garaiths arranged

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ready

• get ready
• (get) ready, (get) set, go
• oven-ready
• ready box
• ready-made
• ready room
• ready, steady, go
• ready to roll
• ready-to-wear
• ready-witted
• rough-and-ready
• shovel-ready
• the ready

Rhymes for ready

• heady
• reddi
• steady
• teddy
• thready
• already
• unsteady

Kids Definition

ready

1 of 2 adjective

ˈred-ē 

readier; readiest

1

: prepared for use or action

dinner is ready

2

: likely to do something

ready to cry

3

: willing sense 1

ready to give aid

4

: showing ease and promptness

a ready answer

5

: available right away : handy

ready money

readily

ˈred-ᵊl-ē

adverb

readiness

ˈred-ē-nəs

noun

ready

2 of 2 verb

readied; readying

: to make ready : prepare