1. (

• now

) the momentary present; "Now is a good time to do it"; "it worked up to right now" ;

1. (

• now ,

) in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events; "President Kennedy now calls in the National Guard"; "Washington now decides to cross the Delaware"; "the ship is now listing to port" ;

2. (

• nowadays ,
• now ,
• today ,

) in these times; "it is solely by their language that the upper classes nowadays are distinguished"- Nancy Mitford; "we now rarely see horse-drawn vehicles on city streets"; "today almost every home has television" ;

3. (

• now ,

) used to preface a command or reproof or request; "now hear this!"; "now pay attention" ;

4. (

• now ,
• at_present

) at the present moment; "goods now on sale"; "the now-aging dictator"; "they are now abroad"; "he is busy at present writing a new novel"; "it could happen any time now" ;

5. (

• immediately ,
• instantly ,
• straightaway ,
• straight_off ,
• directly ,
• now ,
• right_away ,
• at_once ,
• forthwith ,
• like_a_shot

) without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening; "he answered immediately"; "found an answer straightaway"; "an official accused of dishonesty should be suspended forthwith"; "Come here now!" ;

6. (

• now ,

) (prefatory or transitional) indicates a change of subject or activity; "Now the next problem is..." ;

7. (

• now ,

) in the immediate past; "told me just now" ;