right away — immediately; without delay
Part of speech: ADVERB
Definition: immediately; without delay
Pronunciation (IPA): /raɪt əˈweɪ/
Example Sentences
- When the fire alarm went off, everyone had to evacuate right away.
- My mom said 'Come home right away!' so I dropped my pizza and ran.
- The boss wants to see you right away - good luck!
right away
ADVERB[/raɪt əˈweɪ/]
immediately; without delay

immediately; without delay

Right away, no delay - now everything's okay!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrase combines two Old English words: 'right' (meaning directly, immediately) and 'away' (meaning onward, continuously). The compound developed to emphasize immediacy and urgency, eventually solidifying as a single adverbial phrase meaning instantaneously or without delay.
Breakdown
right (directly, straight) + away (onward, at once) = immediately, instantly. The juxtaposition of these two adverbs creates emphatic force, with 'right' modifying the directness of action and 'away' intensifying the sense of immediate continuation.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“When the fire alarm went off, everyone had to evacuate right away.”
“My mom said 'Come home right away!' so I dropped my pizza and ran.”
“The boss wants to see you right away - good luck!”
“I knew right away that I had forgotten my wallet at home.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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