again — English Dictionary

Adverb

1. Another time: indicating a repeat of an action.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   Please read that again.

   I enjoyed it so much I went again the next day.

   He tangled in tree-tops again and again / And barely missed hitting a tri-motored plane.

   More examples (2)

   Johnny said, “Devil, just come on back if you ever want to try again / I done told you once, you son of a bitch, I’m the best that’s ever been.”

   The last sentence is so shocking, I have to read it again.

2. Back (to a former place or state).

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   She is well again.

   We need to bring the old customs to life again.

   The South will rise again.

   More examples (3)

   The humor of my proposition appealed more strongly to Miss Trevor than I had looked for, and from that time forward she became her old self again;[…]. Our table in the dining-room became again the abode of scintillating wit and caustic repartee, Farrar bracing up to his old standard, and the demand for seats in the vicinity rose to an animated competition.

   Thinks I to myself, “Sol, you're run off your course again. This is a rich man's summer ‘cottage’[…].[…].” So I started to back away again into the bushes. But I hadn't backed more'n a couple of yards when I see something so amazing that I couldn't help scooching down behind the bayberries and looking at it.

   Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.

3. Over and above a factor of one.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   This stick is quite long, but that other one is half as long again.

   More examples (1)

   Cirri l-lxxx, 15, about 12mm. long; first two joints short, about twice as broad as long; third about one-third again [=one and one-third times] as long as broad; fourth and fifth the longest, about half again [=one and a half times] as long as broad;[…].

4. Used metalinguistically, with the repetition being in the discussion, or in the linguistic or pragmatic context of the discussion, rather than in the subject of discussion.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   Great, thanks again!

5. Used metalinguistically, with the repetition being in the discussion, or in the linguistic or pragmatic context of the discussion, rather than in the subject of discussion. Tell me again, say again; used in asking a question to which one may have already received an answer that one cannot remember.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   What was your name again?

   What's that called again?

6. Used metalinguistically, with the repetition being in the discussion, or in the linguistic or pragmatic context of the discussion, rather than in the subject of discussion. I ask again, I say again; used in repeating a question or statement.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   Again, I'm not criticizing, I just want to understand.

7. Used metalinguistically, with the repetition being in the discussion, or in the linguistic or pragmatic context of the discussion, rather than in the subject of discussion. Here too, here also, in this case as well; used in applying a previously made point to a new instance; sometimes preceded by "here".

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   Approach B is better than approach A in many respects, but again, there are difficulties in implementing it.

   More examples (1)

   A great bargain also had been the excellent Axminster carpet which covered the floor; as, again, the arm-chair in which Bunting now sat forward, staring into the dull, small fire.

8. Back in the reverse direction, or to an original starting point.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • Obsolete

   Examples

   Bring us word again.

   And after they were warned in ther slepe, that they shulde not go ageyne to Herod, they retourned into ther awne countre another way.

9. In return, as a reciprocal action; back.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • Obsolete

   Examples

   So women are never angrie, but to the end a man should againe be angrie with them, therein imitating the lawes of Love.

   Thus men are plagued with women, they again with men, when they are of diverse humours and conditions[…].

   More examples (1)

   As he lies in the light before a glaring white target, the black upon him shines again[…].

10. In any other place.

    Usage

    • not-comparable
    • Obsolete

    Examples

    There is not, in the world again, such a spring and seminary of brave military people as in England, Scotland, and Ireland.

11. On the other hand.

    Usage

    • not-comparable
    • Obsolete

    Examples

    The one is my sovereign[…]the other again is my kinsman.

12. Moreover; besides; further.

    Usage

    • not-comparable

    Examples

    The room is small, and again, it has no window.

    Again, it is of great consequence to avoid, etc.

Preposition

1. Against.

   Usage

   • dialectal

   Examples

   And here begynneth the treson of Kynge Marke that he ordayned agayne Sir Trystram.

   Ah'd like to wahrn (warn) thi agaan 'evvin owt to dew wi' that chap.

   More examples (1)

   You may think you are all on the same side, agin the government.

Adverb

1. anew

   Synonyms

   once againonce moreover again

   Examples

   she tried again

   they rehearsed the scene again