1
a
: another time : once more : anew
It happened again.
I hope we meet again.
Please call again later.
Let's do this again soon.
Try it again. = Try it once again.
singing the song over and over again = singing the song again and again [=repeatedly, many times]
Every day, it's same thing all over again. [=exactly as before]
We had to start all over again. [=once more as if nothing had already been done]
Never again will I travel on a holiday weekend.
Oh no! Not again!
The meeting was postponed yet again.
b
: to a previous position or place
She stood up, and then sat (back) down again.
drove there and back again
2
a
—used to introduce a statement that repeats and stresses something previously said
Again, I ask, why are you doing this?
b
—used to introduce a thought or possibility that differs from a preceding one
They might forget, and again they might not.
—usually used in the phrase then againThen again, she might change her mind. = She might change her mind, and then again, she might not.
The car's battery seems dead, but then again, the problem could be the starter.
3
—used to ask someone to repeat something that was not heard or understood clearly
I'm sorry, what was your name again?
4
: in addition : besides
Again, there is another matter to consider.
5
archaic
: in return : back
… swore he would pay him again when he was able.—
William Shakespeare
William ShakespeareExamples of again in a Sentence
Please, come see us again.
It was nice to see my friends again.
She wants to prove that she can do it again.
Things are back to normal again.
When we heard the news, we all said, “Oh no! Not again!”.
She demonstrated yet again her remarkable artistic talents.
It'll just be the same thing all over again.
When he stood up, he got so dizzy that he had to sit down again.
Recent Examples on the Web
More than six decades later, what has emerged is a military-narrational complex, in which war presents too good a story not to tell, over and over again.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Grab a fresh cloth and dip it in clean water to wipe the countertops again.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
The November 10 deadline for a trade truce is looming, lest tariffs surge again.
—Jhasua Razo, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Marcus Mariota started for Daniels again and had the Commanders in pretty good position to get an advantage.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for again
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Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Grab a fresh cloth and dip it in clean water to wipe the countertops again.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
The November 10 deadline for a trade truce is looming, lest tariffs surge again.
—Jhasua Razo, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Marcus Mariota started for Daniels again and had the Commanders in pretty good position to get an advantage.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for again
Cite this Entry
“Again.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/again. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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Etymology
Old English ongēan "opposite, back"
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