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
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Who is ready to hear his name any time the Mets blow a lead after the sixth inning? Tim Britton, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025 Tesla’s current self-driving offering still requires a person to be seated in the driver’s seat, ready to take control of the car. Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
The British singer-songwriter, 26, is already having a banner year, having been nominated for two BRIT Awards, readying the release of her new EP next month and opening for Sabrina Carpenter on the European leg of her Short n’ Sweet tour. Rachel Desantis, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025 StubHub had been rumored to be readying an IPO for months. Ethan Millman, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ready

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ready was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ready.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ready. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

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

More from Merriam-Webster on ready

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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