ormai

Ormai is an Italian adverb meaning by now, already, or at this point. It denotes that a situation has progressed beyond a previous expectation or turning point, often carrying a sense of inevitability, resignation, or completion. In everyday use it helps convey that something has become settled or irreversible.

Etymology and usage notes: The precise origin of ormai is not definitively documented. It is generally treated as a fixed lexical item in modern Italian, with scholars noting its development as a compound-like form that marks progression from the present toward a conclusion. The word is versatile in position within a sentence and is commonly placed at the beginning for emphasis, as in Ormai è tardi, or before the main verb, as in Non c’è più nulla da fare ormai.

Nuance and examples: Ormai can express that time has elapsed to a point where change is unlikely or unnecessary. It often conveys resignation, acceptance, or a sense that the outcome has effectively been decided. Examples include Ormai è tardi (It’s too late by now), Ormai non c'è nulla da fare (By now there is nothing else to do), and Ormai tutti lo sanno (By now everyone knows it). The tone can range from conversational to narrative, and while widely used in various registers, it remains a natural feature of everyday Italian.

See also: Italian adverbs, già, d’ora in poi, ora.