by now
Definitions
The hour being what it is; the hour being so advanced; considering that it is so far in time already; now that so much time has elapsed; if not before, now at the latest.
Equivalents
Examples
“Near-synonyms: already, at this stage⟳, at this point⟳”
“My parents ought to've arrived by now. I wonder⟳ what's keeping them.”
“Totally overwhelmed by now, I started to hand out the fliers willy-nilly.”
“By now an angry crowd had collected outside.”
CEFR level
B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.
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