Ready
completely prepared or in fit condition for immediate action or use:
troops ready for battle; Dinner is ready.
duly equipped, completed, adjusted, or arranged, as for an occasion or purpose:
The mechanic called to say that the car is ready.
willing:
ready to forgive.
prompt or quick in perceiving, comprehending, speaking, writing, etc.
proceeding from or showing such quickness:
a ready reply.
prompt or quick in action, performance, manifestation, etc.:
a keen mind and ready wit.
inclined; disposed; apt:
too ready to criticize others.
in such a condition as to be imminent; likely at any moment:
a tree ready to fall.
immediately available for use:
a ready source of cash.
pertaining to prompt payment.
present or convenient:
to lie ready to one’s hand.
to make ready; prepare.
the state or condition of being ready.
Informal. ; cash.
(used in calling the start of a race to indicate that racers should be prepared to start):
Ready! Set! Go!
at the ready, in a condition of readiness, available for immediate use:
shoppers with their umbrellas at the ready; soldiers keeping their weapons at the ready.
get ready!, (in calling the start of a race) be prepared to start:
Get ready! Get set! Go!
make ready,
to bring to a state of readiness or completion; prepare.
Printing. to ready a press for printing.
ready up, British and Australian Slang. to swindle.
Contemporary Examples
Despite all the angst, the Russians were not ready to give up their summer in America.
How a Blogger Blocked Sex Slavery Abigail Pesta March 21, 2011
But nobody seriously believes that these troops are ready to carry out the role assigned them.
The Taliban’s Propaganda Victory Stephen L. Carter July 12, 2011
As those statements attest, Billy Sammeth is ready to be free of his past by putting it truly all behind him.
Billy Sammeth, the Manager Fired by Cher and Joan Rivers, Tells His Side of the Story Kevin Sessums February 13, 2012
Now is the time for Israel to take some dramatic step to show it is ready for a new Middle East.
How Israel Could Remove Assad Diplomatically and Bring Peace to Syria Bruce Riedel February 24, 2012
In Warhol it found its self- image, ready- made for idolatry and mockery.
We Can’t Stop Talking About Andy Warhol Bob Colacello March 8, 2014
Historical Examples
Then hitch them up as fast as you like, and put a good stock of feed in, while we go and get ready.
Australia Revenged Boomerang
But in good time the Lybian pipe warns us that the feast is ready.
Philothea Lydia Maria Child
My ribs were ready to burst, but I could no longer get enough air into my chest.
Tales of Unrest Joseph Conrad
At length the servant returned, saying his master was now ready to see them.
Philothea Lydia Maria Child
Papa said yesterday I must tell a story, and I have one all ready.
John Gayther’s Garden and the Stories Told Therein Frank R. Stockton
adjective readier, readiest
in a state of completion or preparedness, as for use or action
willing or eager: ready helpers
prompt or rapid: a ready response
(prenominal) quick in perceiving; intelligent: a ready mind
(postpositive) foll by to. on the point (of) or liable (to): ready to collapse
(postpositive) conveniently near (esp in the phrase ready to hand)
make ready, get ready, to prepare oneself or something for use or action
noun
(informal) the ready, short for ready money
at the ready
poised for use or action: with pen at the ready
(of a rifle) in the position normally adopted immediately prior to aiming and firing
verb
(transitive) to put in a state of readiness; prepare
adj.
Old English ræde, geræde “prepared, ready,” of a horse, “ready for riding,” from Proto-Germanic *garaidijaz “arranged” (cf. Old Frisian rede “ready,” Middle Dutch gereit, Old High German reiti, Middle High German bereite, German bereit, Old Norse greiðr “ready, plain,” Gothic garaiþs “ordered, arranged”), from PIE root *reidh- “to ride” (see ride (v.)). Lengthened in Middle English by change of ending. Ready-made first attested early 15c.; ready-to-wear is from 1890.
v.
early 13c., “to administer;” c.1300, “to take aim;” mid-14c., “to prepare, make ready,” from ready (adj.). Related: Readied; readying.
In addition to the idiom beginning with
ready
also see:
at the ready
get ready
good and (ready)
rough and ready
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