ready Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun poised for action
    • their guns were at the ready
  2. verb prepare for eating by applying heat
    cook; fix; make; prepare.
    • Cook me dinner, please
    • can you make me an omelette?
    • fix breakfast for the guests, please
  3. verb make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
    set; prepare; fix; set up; gear up.
    • Get the children ready for school!
    • prepare for war
    • I was fixing to leave town after I paid the hotel bill
  4. adjective completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
    • get ready
    • she is ready to resign
    • the bridge is ready to collapse
    • I am ready to work
    • ready for action
    • ready for use
    • the soup will be ready in a minute
    • ready to learn to read
  5. adjective satellite (of especially money) immediately available
    • he seems to have ample ready money
    • a ready source of cash
  6. adjective satellite mentally disposed
    • he was ready to believe her
  7. adjective satellite made suitable and available for immediate use
    • dinner is ready
  8. adjective satellite apprehending and responding with speed and sensitivity
    quick.
    • a quick mind
    • a ready wit

WordNet

Read"y adjective
Etymology
AS. r&aemac;de; akin to D. gereed, bereid, G. bereit, Goth. garáids fixed, arranged, and possibly to E. ride, as meaning originally, prepared for riding. Cf. Array, 1st Curry.
Wordforms
comparative Readier ; superlative Readiest
Definitions
  1. Prepared for what one is about to do or experience; equipped or supplied with what is needed for some act or event; prepared for immediate movement or action; as, the troops are ready to march; ready for the journey. "When she redy was." Chaucer.
  2. Fitted or arranged for immediate use; causing no delay for lack of being prepared or furnished. "Dinner was ready." Fielding.
    My oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. Matt. xxii. 4.
  3. Prepared in mind or disposition; not reluctant; willing; free; inclined; disposed.
    I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts xxi. 13.
    If need be, I am ready to forego And quit. Milton.
  4. Not slow or hesitating; quick in action or perception of any kind; dexterous; prompt; easy; expert; as, a ready apprehension; ready wit; a ready writer or workman. "Ready in devising expedients." Macaulay.
    Gurth, whose temper was ready, through surly. Sir W. Scott.
  5. Offering itself at once; at hand; opportune; convenient; near; easy. "The readiest way." Milton.
    A sapling pine he wrenched from out the ground, The readiest weapon that his fury found. Dryden.
  6. On the point; about; on the brink; near; -- with a following infinitive.
    My heart is ready to crack. Shak.
  7. (Mil.) A word of command, or a position, in the manual of arms, at which the piece is cocked and held in position to execute promptly the next command, which is, aim. Syn. -- Prompt; expeditious; speedy; unhesitating; dexterous; apt; skilful; handy; expert; facile; easy; opportune; fitted; prepared; disposed; willing; free; cheerful. See Prompt.
Read"y adverb
Definitions
  1. In a state of preparation for immediate action; so as to need no delay.
    We ourselves will go ready armed. Num. xxxii. 17.
Read"y noun
Definitions
  1. Ready money; cash; -- commonly with the; as, he was supplied with the ready. Slang
    Lord Strut was not flush in ready, either to go to law, or to clear old debts. Arbuthnot.
Read"y transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To dispose in order. Obs. Heywood.

Webster 1913