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ready

ready

188 1.0
Quick to think and give a clever answer
  • adjective
  • /ˈrɛdi/
translation icon : rápido
  • She was ready to respond to any questions from the audience after her presentation.

So he's, he's as Pascal says, he's ready to listen with exemplary respect.

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Examples

  • Thus, there is little movement towards improving the situation and no ready way out of the quagmire.

    Academic text (2011)
  • You know, people were really ready for something joyful.

  • "Will there be shoes?" I asked, ready to cry if the answer was no.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • There is an expression that says, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear."

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Sometimes when I lose my temper, I think it's just me trying to tell me something I'm not ready to hear.

  • Helping a neighbor in need, setting an example for others to learn from, even if they weren't ready to learn.

  • If you provide your own camera-ready copy, the cost of printing can be greatly reduced.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Kent, you're everything a woman could possibly want, but I'm just not ready for marriage.

  • But in an uncertain business climate, lawyers have to be ready to respond to misfortune.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Paul came with him, still resentful and ready to interfere, but Stephen ignored him.

    Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

quick
vsready
61 3.2

Able to understand and answer fast

is the same idea but stresses prompt intelligent reaction
responsive
vsready
61 4.0

React quickly and helpfully to people and things

emphasizes swift intelligent perception and action over just positive reaction
at the ready
vsready
20 3.5

Prepared and available to use immediately

highlights faster intelligent reaction instead of mere availability
7 3.0

Fully prepared and available to begin or help right away

implies quicker mental noticing and prompt action
primed
vsready
1 4.6

Ready to take action or respond quickly

points to quick intelligent response rather than merely being disposed
on the ready
vsready
5.3

Prepared and alert to act immediately

focuses more on swift intelligent perception and response

Antonyms

slow
  • Offensive
297 4.4

Not quick to learn or understand things

20 4.7

Not reacting to touch, sound, or commands

Idioms

ready to roll
  • Informal
29 4.3

Prepared to begin an activity such as a game or meeting

20 3.5

Prepared and available to use immediately

Completely prepared and willing to begin

Fully prepared and available to begin or help right away

You can reach and use it right away

ready as Freddy
  • Informal
9.3

Completely prepared to start something

Prepared and alert to act immediately

Compounds

8 2.8

Food prepared in advance that you can eat without cooking

combat-ready
  • Specialized
4 5.3

Fully prepared for immediate fighting, for example troops or equipment

4 3.9

An item like a shirt or chair made before you buy it

Clothes made in standard sizes that are sold in stores

3 3.4

Sold in standard sizes so it can be used right away

2 2.7

Money in cash that you can use immediately

rough-and-ready
  • Informal
1 6.6

Simple and not carefully made but good enough for the job

Cash you keep for immediate use

A small book with tables to do quick price and weight calculations

Made earlier so you can eat it without more work in the kitchen

4.9

A packet of ingredients for bread or cakes that needs only a little extra

Made in standard sizes and sold in stores instead of being made for one person

How Alert

sharp
152 3.3
quick-witted
4 4.8
ready
188 1.0
alert
82 2.8
slow
  • Offensive
297 4.4
dull
  • Offensive
19 2.8

Surface Forms

ready positive

Etymology

Ready in the sense of being quick or prompt comes from the same old idea of being 'prepared' so you can move or answer at once. That's why someone with a ready mind can respond fast — they are already set to act.