What does "yesterday" mean?
The day immediately before today; one day ago.
Yesterday
/ˈjɛstədeɪ/ adv, noun, slang
adv, noun, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The day immediately before today; one day ago.
- Grammar: yesterday is listed as adv, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: aforetime, before, before now, beforetime.
- Useful contrasts: catalan painting today, tomorrow, present day.
- Usage evidence: The day before yesterday you impressed everyone, but I already knew you.
How to use "yesterday"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "yesterday" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "yesterday" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "yesterday" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "yesterday" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "yesterday" is acting as adv, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "aforetime" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "yesterday", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The day immediately before today; one day ago.
"Today is the child of yesterday and the parent of tomorrow."
- 2 the day immediately before today wordnet
- 3 The past, often in terms of being outdated. figuratively
"yesterday's technology"
- 4 the recent past wordnet
Adverb
- 1 On the day before today. not-comparable
"I started to watch the video yesterday, but could only finish it this evening."
- 2 As soon as possible. informal, not-comparable
"I want this done yesterday!"
Adverb
- 1 on the day preceding today wordnet
- 2 in the recent past; only a short time ago wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The day before yesterday you impressed everyone, but I already knew you."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "yesterday"?
Common synonyms include: aforetime, before, before now, beforetime, bygone days, bygone times.
How do you use "yesterday" in a sentence?
The day before yesterday you impressed everyone, but I already knew you.
How do you pronounce "yesterday"?
Pronounced /ˈjɛstədeɪ/.
Etymology
From Middle English yesterday, yisterday, ȝesterdai, ȝisterdai, from Old English ġiestrandæġ, ġister dæġ, ġestor dæġ, ġeostran dæġ (“yesterday”), by surface analysis, yester- + day. Cognate with Scots yisterday, yesterday (“yesterday”), Saterland Frisian jässendeeg, järsendeges (“yesterday”, adverb), West Frisian justerdei (“yesterday”), Dutch gisterdag (“yesterday”), dialectal German gestertag (“yesterday”), Swedish gårdag (“yesterday”), Gothic 𐌲𐌹𐍃𐍄𐍂𐌰𐌳𐌰𐌲𐌹𐍃 (gistradagis, “tomorrow”, adverb). Compare further Dutch gisteren (“yesterday”), German gestern (“yesterday”).