1
a
: at the present time or moment
Now is the time for action.
b
: in the time immediately before the present
thought of them just now
c
: in the time immediately to follow : forthwith
come in now
2
—used with the sense of present time weakened or lost to express command, request, or admonition
now hear this
now you be sure to write
3
—used with the sense of present time weakened or lost to introduce an important point or indicate a transition (as of ideas)
now, this may seem reasonable at first
4
: sometimes
now one and now another
5
: under the present circumstances
Since my plan has failed, we must now try his.
6
: at the time referred to
now the trouble began
7
: by this time
has been teaching now for twenty years
: in view of the fact that : since
—often followed by that
now that we are here
: the present time or moment
been ill up to now
1
: of or relating to the present time : existing
the now president
2
a
: excitingly new
now clothes
b
: constantly aware of what is new
now people
the now generation
National Organization for Women
Examples of now in a Sentence
Adverb
We were having trouble before, but everything's okay now.
I'm feeling much better now, thank you.
I love you now and I'll love you forever.
Now's the time for action.
“And now,” he said, “all we have to do is wait.”
“Can we talk?” “Not now. I'm really busy.”
He knows now that he was wrong.
Police have now identified the man who they believe stole the car.
Scientists now believe that the bones belong to a different species of reptile.
the now famous photograph of an American sailor kissing his young wife
Conjunction
Now you mention it, I am kind of hungry.
I'll repeat my question now that you are paying attention.
Noun
A lot of things can happen between now and then.
The kids are supposed to be in bed by now.
That's enough for now, but we may need some more later.
Things are fine for now.
Fifty years from now you'll be telling your grandchildren about this day.
She's due back a week from now.
We'll be here from now until November.
From now on, no one can use my car without my permission.
Adjective
questioned the moral values of the now generation
Recent Examples on the Web
Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
While oil continues to drive Saudi Arabia's economy, the kingdom is now expanding into areas such as artificial intelligence, tourism and sports to diversify its growth avenues.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025
Tom Rende, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
As far as Snider knows, Prevost has not been back to Minnesota since that summer, but Snider visited his friend in Rome in 2010 when the now-pope was serving as the global head of the Order of St. Augustine.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 16 May 2025
Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
The now 26-year-old superstar was coming off a trip to the NBA Finals and leading the league in scoring.
—Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for now
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adverb
And unlike pricier Dyson or Shark models, this lightweight powerhouse covers all the same bases for $150—now 25% off ahead of Black Friday.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
While oil continues to drive Saudi Arabia's economy, the kingdom is now expanding into areas such as artificial intelligence, tourism and sports to diversify its growth avenues.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
Finding a passable wing that can shoot and defend will put the Knicks in a better situation for the now and for the future.
—Tom Rende, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
As far as Snider knows, Prevost has not been back to Minnesota since that summer, but Snider visited his friend in Rome in 2010 when the now-pope was serving as the global head of the Order of St. Augustine.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 16 May 2025
Adjective
The now 16-year-old female reticulated giraffe was born in Germany as part of a European breeding program, and has shown signs of respiratory distress for much of her life, the organization said.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
The now 26-year-old superstar was coming off a trip to the NBA Finals and leading the league in scoring.
—Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for now
Cite this Entry
“Now.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/now. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
now
1 of 4 adverb1
a
: at the present time
they are busy now
b
: in the time immediately before the present
thought of them just now
c
: in the time immediately to follow
come in now
2
—used with the sense of present time weakened or lost (as to express command or introduce an important point)
now hear this
3
: sometimes
now one and now another
4
: under the present circumstances
now the trouble began
5
: by this time
has been teaching now for twenty years
now
2 of 4 conjunction
: in view of the fact that : since
—often followed by that
now that we are here
now
3 of 4 nounˈnau̇
: the present time
been ill up to now
now
4 of 4 adjectiveˈnau̇
: of or relating to the present time : existing
the now president
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