now
(noun, adjective, adverb, interjection, conjunction)
adjective
1. Present; current.
2. (archaic, law) At the time the will is written. Used in order to prevent any inheritance from being transferred to a person of a future marriage. Does not indicate the existence of a previous marriage.
- Now wife.
3. (informal) Fashionable; popular; up to date; current.
- I think this band's sound is very now.
adverb
1. in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
- President Kennedy now calls in the National Guard
- Washington now decides to cross the Delaware
- the ship is now listing to port
2. in these times
- it is solely by their language that the upper classes nowadays are distinguished
- we now rarely see horse-drawn vehicles on city streets
Similar word(s): nowadays, today
3. used to preface a command or reproof or request
- now hear this!
- now pay attention
4. at the present moment
- goods now on sale
- the now-aging dictator
- they are now abroad
5. without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
- Come here now!
Similar word(s): directly, forthwith, immediately, instantly, straightaway
6. (prefatory or transitional) indicates a change of subject or activity
- Now the next problem is...
7. in the immediate past
- told me just now
Sentences with now as an adverb:
- Now I am six.
- Now, we all want what is best for our children.
- Now I am ready.
- Now all the children have grown up and left, the house is very quiet.
- Now, he remembered why he had come.
- Now listen, we must do something about this.
conjunction
1. since something is true: because of the fact that something happened.
- Now you mention it, I am kind of hungry.
2. since, because, in light of the fact.
- We can play football now that the rain has stopped.
3. — usually + that
- Now that you mention it, I am kind of hungry.
- Now that we're all here, let's start the meeting. = Let's start the meeting now that everyone's here.
interjection
1. Indicates a signal to begin.
- Now! Fire all we've got while the enemy is in reach!