rhizoverbBeta
Dictionarynowpresent time
adverb / noun / interjection / conjunction

now

NOW/naʊ/

At the present moment or stage.

The coach drops a hand, and the runner starts now.

A runner lunges from the starting line at the exact moment a coach drops a raised hand, showing action happening at the present moment.
Etymology
nowOld Englishat this moment

Old English nu already meant “at this moment.” A possible deeper connection with “new” suggests an earlier meaning of “newly” or “recently,” but that connection remains uncertain.

In context

TED speaker12:41
And it's because of those words that I stand here right now
Color blind or color brave? | Mellody Hobson
TED speaker1:16
So there's two bills in Congress right now.
Defend our freedom to share (or why SOPA is a bad idea) | Clay Shirky

More examples

  • Let's focus on the here and now.
  • Now, let's look at the next question.
  • Now that the rain has stopped, we can leave.

Similar words

currently
Describes the present situation without necessarily suggesting immediate action.
immediately
Emphasizes acting without delay rather than the present period.