NOW

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does now mean? 

• NOW (noun)
  The noun NOW has 1 sense:

1. the momentary present

  Familiarity information: NOW used as a noun is very rare.

• NOW (adverb)
  The adverb NOW has 7 senses:

1. in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

2. in these times

3. used to preface a command or reproof or request

4. at the present moment

5. without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

6. (prefatory or transitional) indicates a change of subject or activity

7. in the immediate past

  Familiarity information: NOW used as an adverb is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• NOW (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The momentary present

Classified under:

Nouns denoting time and temporal relations

Context example:

it worked up to right now

Hypernyms ("now" is a kind of...):

nowadays; present (the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech)

• NOW (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

Context example:

the ship is now listing to port

Sense 2

Meaning:

In these times

Synonyms:

now; nowadays; today

Context example:

today almost every home has television

Sense 3

Meaning:

Used to preface a command or reproof or request

Context example:

now pay attention

Sense 4

Meaning:

At the present moment

Synonyms:

at present; now

Context example:

it could happen any time now

Sense 5

Meaning:

Without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

Synonyms:

at once; directly; forthwith; immediately; instantly; like a shot; now; right away; straight off; straightaway

Context example:

Come here now!

Sense 6

Meaning:

(prefatory or transitional) indicates a change of subject or activity

Context example:

Now the next problem is...

Sense 7

Meaning:

In the immediate past

Context example:

told me just now

 Context examples 

I should much prefer to hear now.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“I did at first,” she answered, “but now I know where the letters are without looking.”

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I certainly have had my share of beauty, but I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Now, supposing that he broke away during or after the tragedy, where could he have gone to?

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He pulled himself together and went on, afraid now in a new way.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

I am eating them now, and you too.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Now with Saturn out of this house for nearly three-and-a-half months, you may be able to find the perfect setting.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

I could now speak the language tolerably well, and perfectly understood every word, that was spoken to me.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

"I cannot tell," she returned, "but you may come with me, if you like. If Oz will not give you any brains you will be no worse off than you are now."

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

Now I want to get my bearin's.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)