adverb

ago

Before the present time.

We planted this oak twenty years ago this spring.

Etymology

Old English āgān meant to pass away or go by. Ago preserves that picture of elapsed time, locating an event by the amount of time that has passed since it happened.

More examples

She called a few minutes ago.
Long ago, a mill stood beside the river.
The road was repaired only a month ago.

Similar words

earlier: Can be measured from any reference point, not just now.
previously: Means before a stated or implied time without specifying duration.