(readier, readiest, readies, readying, readied)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
If someone is ready, they are properly prepared for something. If something is ready, it has been properly prepared and is now able to be used.
It took her a long time to get ready for church...
Are you ready to board, Mr. Daly?...
Tomorrow he would tell his pilot to get the aircraft ready...
ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ for n, ADJ to-inf
2.
If you are ready for something or ready to do something, you have enough experience to do it or you are old enough and sensible enough to do it.
She says she's not ready for marriage...
You'll have no trouble getting him into a normal school when you feel he's ready to go.
ADJ: v-link ADJ, usu ADJ for n, ADJ to-inf
3.
If you are ready to do something, you are willing to do it.
They were ready to die for their beliefs...
= willing
ADJ: v-link ADJ to-inf
4.
If you are ready for something, you need it or want it.
I don't know about you, but I'm ready for bed...
ADJ: v-link ADJ for n
5.
To be ready to do something means to be about to do it or likely to do it.
She looked ready to cry...
ADJ: v-link ADJ to-inf
6.
You use ready to describe things that are able to be used very quickly and easily.
Why does German industry enjoy such a ready supply of well-trained and well-motivated workers?
ADJ: ADJ n
7.
Ready money is in the form of notes and coins rather than cheques or credit cards, and so it can be used immediately.
I'm afraid I don't have enough ready cash.
ADJ: ADJ n
8.
When you ready something, you prepare it for a particular purpose. (FORMAL)
John's soldiers were readying themselves for the final assault...
VERB: V n for n
9.
Ready combines with past participles to indicate that something has already been done, and that therefore you do not have to do it yourself.
You can buy ready-printed forms for wills at stationery shops...
COMB in ADJ
10.
If you have something at the ready, you have it in a position where it can be quickly and easily used.
Soldiers came charging through the forest, guns at the ready.
PHRASE: usu n PHR