A1 noun #3,853 most common 4 min read

tomorrow

Tomorrow is the day that comes right after today.

Explanation at your level:

Tomorrow is the day after today. If today is Monday, tomorrow is Tuesday. You use this word to talk about your plans. For example, you can say, 'I will go to school tomorrow.' It is a very useful word for everyday life. You do not need to use 'on' with it. Just say the word and people will understand you perfectly. It is one of the first time words you should learn.

When you want to talk about the future, tomorrow is your best friend. It refers to the very next day. You can use it with 'will' to talk about future actions, like 'I will see you tomorrow.' It is also common to use it with specific times, such as 'tomorrow morning' or 'tomorrow night.' Remember, do not use 'in' or 'on' before tomorrow. It is simple and direct!

At the intermediate level, you will notice that tomorrow is used to set expectations. Whether you are scheduling a meeting or making social plans, it is the standard way to refer to the next 24-hour period. You might also hear it used in phrases like 'tomorrow's meeting,' where it acts as a possessive noun. It is versatile and essential for clear communication in both professional and casual settings.

As you advance, you will see tomorrow used in more figurative ways. It often represents the concept of the future in general. For instance, in political or social contexts, people talk about 'shaping tomorrow.' Understanding this shift from a literal day to a broader concept of time helps you grasp the nuance of English speakers' aspirations and planning styles.

In advanced English, tomorrow is frequently used in idiomatic expressions that reflect cultural attitudes toward time and productivity. Phrases like 'never put off until tomorrow' highlight the cultural value placed on efficiency. You will also encounter it in literary contexts where authors use it to create a sense of impending change or existential reflection. It becomes a tool for discussing the passage of time and human destiny.

At the mastery level, tomorrow serves as a pivot point for philosophical discourse. It represents the intersection of human agency and the unknown. When writers or speakers use it, they are often contrasting the limitations of the present with the infinite possibilities of the future. The etymological roots—linking it to the 'morning'—remind us that every day is a new beginning. Mastering its use in complex, abstract sentences allows you to convey deep, nuanced thoughts about progress, legacy, and the nature of time itself.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Refers to the day after today.
  • No prepositions needed.
  • Common in all registers.
  • Can be literal or figurative.

Think of tomorrow as the blank page waiting for you after today's story is finished. It is a simple but powerful word that marks the transition from the present into the immediate future.

When we say tomorrow, we are specifically pointing to the next 24-hour cycle on the calendar. It is a word we use every single day to organize our lives, set meetings, and dream about what we want to accomplish. Whether you are planning a trip or just deciding what to have for breakfast, tomorrow is your go-to reference point.

Beyond the literal day, the word carries a sense of hope and potential. We often talk about 'building a better tomorrow,' which refers to our collective future. It is a bridge between what is happening right now and what we hope will happen next.

The word tomorrow has a beautiful, practical history rooted in Old English. It is a compound word formed by combining to and morrow. In Middle English, it was written as to morwe, which literally meant 'on the morning.'

The word morrow itself comes from the Old English morgen, which is the same root that gave us the word morning. Interestingly, morgen is related to the German word Morgen, which means both 'morning' and 'tomorrow.' This shows how ancient speakers viewed the arrival of a new day as synonymous with the arrival of the next morning.

Over centuries, the two words merged into the single term we use today. It is a perfect example of how language evolves to make communication faster and more efficient. Instead of saying 'on the morning,' we simply say tomorrow.

Using tomorrow is straightforward, but there are a few nuances to keep in mind. It functions as both an adverb and a noun, though we mostly use it to indicate time without needing a preposition like 'on' or 'in'.

In casual conversation, you might hear people say, 'I'll see you tomorrow.' Notice that you don't need to say 'on tomorrow.' It is a common mistake for learners to add extra words, but tomorrow stands perfectly on its own.

Common collocations include phrases like 'tomorrow morning,' 'tomorrow evening,' or 'tomorrow night.' When you want to sound more formal, you might use it in a business context, such as 'The deadline is tomorrow.' Whether you are talking to a friend or a boss, the word remains professional and clear.

Language is full of fun ways to use this word! Here are some common expressions:

  • Live like there is no tomorrow: To live intensely and enjoy the present moment without worrying about the future.
  • Tomorrow is another day: A hopeful phrase meaning that problems can be solved or things can improve when a new day begins.
  • Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today: A classic piece of advice encouraging people to avoid procrastination.
  • The world of tomorrow: Refers to future technology or society.
  • Here today, gone tomorrow: Describes something or someone that is temporary or fleeting.

Grammatically, tomorrow is quite simple because it does not have a plural form. You cannot say 'tomorrows' in the literal sense of the next day, though poets sometimes use it metaphorically to describe a series of future days.

Pronunciation varies slightly between regions. In British English, it is often pronounced /təˈmɒr.əʊ/, while in American English, it sounds more like /təˈmɔːr.oʊ/. The stress is always on the second syllable: to-MOR-row.

Because it acts as an adverb of time, it usually goes at the end of a sentence or at the very beginning for emphasis. For example: 'Tomorrow, we will start the project' or 'We will start the project tomorrow.' It is very flexible!

Fun Fact

It is a fusion of 'to' and 'morrow', which originally meant 'morning'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /təˈmɒr.əʊ/

Starts with a schwa sound, followed by a clear 'mor' and 'row'.

US /təˈmɔːr.oʊ/

Starts with a schwa, followed by a longer 'or' sound and a clear 'oh'.

Common Errors

  • Misplacing the stress on the first syllable
  • Pronouncing it as three distinct syllables without the schwa
  • Adding an extra sound at the end

Rhymes With

sorrow borrow marrow narrow harrow

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy

Writing 1/5

Very easy

Speaking 1/5

Very easy

Listening 1/5

Very easy

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

today yesterday day

Learn Next

future schedule appointment

Advanced

procrastination inevitability perspective

Grammar to Know

Adverbs of time

I will go tomorrow.

Future tense

I will do it tomorrow.

Prepositions with time

I go on Monday (not tomorrow).

Examples by Level

1

I will see you tomorrow.

See you next day

Future tense

2

Tomorrow is Tuesday.

The next day is Tuesday

Noun usage

3

We have a test tomorrow.

Test happens next day

Noun usage

4

Is it tomorrow yet?

Has the day changed?

Question form

5

I am busy tomorrow.

No time next day

Adjective usage

6

Tomorrow is a holiday.

A day off is next

Subject usage

7

Call me tomorrow.

Phone me next day

Imperative

8

See you tomorrow morning!

Meet next day early

Time phrase

1

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow.

2

Will you be home tomorrow?

3

Let's meet for coffee tomorrow.

4

I'm going to the beach tomorrow.

5

Tomorrow is going to be a long day.

6

Don't forget your homework tomorrow.

7

Can you finish the report by tomorrow?

8

I'll think about it tomorrow.

1

I'm looking forward to our trip tomorrow.

2

The store will be closed tomorrow for repairs.

3

She promised to send the email by tomorrow afternoon.

4

I wish tomorrow would hurry up and get here.

5

We need to finalize the plans for tomorrow's event.

6

He said he would call me back tomorrow.

7

It's supposed to rain tomorrow.

8

I'll have more information for you tomorrow.

1

Tomorrow's forecast predicts a significant drop in temperature.

2

The company is planning for a better tomorrow through sustainability.

3

I've decided to leave my worries for tomorrow.

4

He lives as if there is no tomorrow.

5

The project deadline is tomorrow, so we need to work hard.

6

Tomorrow is another day, so don't be too hard on yourself.

7

We must consider the impact of our actions on tomorrow's generation.

8

I'll be working remotely tomorrow.

1

The politician spoke about building a more equitable world for tomorrow.

2

Tomorrow's challenges will require innovative solutions.

3

He viewed tomorrow not as a destination, but as a continuous process.

4

The uncertainty of tomorrow often causes unnecessary anxiety.

5

She was determined to leave her mark on the world of tomorrow.

6

We must reconcile the mistakes of the past with the promise of tomorrow.

7

Tomorrow remains an abstract concept until it becomes today.

8

The exhibition showcases art that reflects the vision of tomorrow.

1

The existential weight of tomorrow often eclipses the joy of the present.

2

To contemplate tomorrow is to acknowledge the fragility of our current state.

3

She approached tomorrow with a mixture of trepidation and profound hope.

4

The legacy we leave is the only bridge to a meaningful tomorrow.

5

Tomorrow is the horizon that forever recedes as we approach it.

6

His work serves as a testament to the enduring human desire for a better tomorrow.

7

The inevitability of tomorrow brings both comfort and challenge.

8

We are architects of a tomorrow that we may never fully inhabit.

Synonyms

the next day the following day the day after today morrow the coming day

Common Collocations

tomorrow morning
tomorrow afternoon
tomorrow night
until tomorrow
by tomorrow
tomorrow's meeting
tomorrow's weather
plans for tomorrow
ready for tomorrow
tomorrow at noon

Idioms & Expressions

"Live like there's no tomorrow"

To live with great intensity and enjoyment.

They spent all their money, living like there's no tomorrow.

casual

"Tomorrow is another day"

Things can be better tomorrow.

Don't worry about the failure; tomorrow is another day.

neutral

"Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today"

Don't procrastinate.

Finish your work now; never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

formal

"Here today, gone tomorrow"

Temporary nature of things.

Fame is often here today, gone tomorrow.

neutral

"The world of tomorrow"

Future technology or society.

This invention is a glimpse into the world of tomorrow.

formal

"Manana (from Spanish)"

Used to describe procrastination.

He's always saying 'manana' instead of doing the work.

casual

Easily Confused

tomorrow vs Yesterday

Both are time words

Yesterday is past, tomorrow is future

I went yesterday; I will go tomorrow.

tomorrow vs Today

Both are time words

Today is now, tomorrow is next

Today is hard; tomorrow will be easier.

tomorrow vs The next day

Similar meaning

The next day is for narrative; tomorrow is for plans

He said he would leave the next day.

tomorrow vs Morning

Etymological link

Morning is a part of the day; tomorrow is the whole day

I like the morning; I have plans tomorrow.

Sentence Patterns

A1

I will [verb] tomorrow.

I will leave tomorrow.

A2

Tomorrow is [noun/adj].

Tomorrow is busy.

A2

See you tomorrow [time].

See you tomorrow morning.

B2

By tomorrow, I will have [verb-ed].

By tomorrow, I will have finished.

B1

The plans for tomorrow are [adj].

The plans for tomorrow are set.

Word Family

Nouns

tomorrow The day after today

Related

morning Etymological root

How to Use It

frequency

10

Formality Scale

Formal (in reports) Neutral (daily life) Casual (with friends) Slang (none)

Common Mistakes

on tomorrow tomorrow
We do not use prepositions like 'on' or 'in' with tomorrow.
the tomorrow tomorrow
We do not use the article 'the' before tomorrow.
tomorrows tomorrow
It is an uncountable time reference.
tomorrow to tomorrow
The word functions as an adverb, no preposition needed.
in tomorrow tomorrow
Incorrect preposition usage.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace Trick

Visualize a calendar on your wall and point to the square after today.

💡

When Native Speakers Use It

They use it constantly to make plans.

🌍

Cultural Insight

English speakers value planning, so this word is vital.

💡

Grammar Shortcut

Remember: No 'on', no 'in', no 'the'!

💡

Say It Right

Focus on the 'MOR' stress.

💡

Don't Make This Mistake

Avoid saying 'on tomorrow' at all costs.

💡

Did You Know?

It is related to the German word 'Morgen'.

💡

Study Smart

Use it in a sentence every time you look at your calendar.

💡

Writing Tip

Use it to create a sense of urgency.

💡

Speaking Tip

Practice saying it with a natural, flowing rhythm.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

To-morrow: To the morning.

Visual Association

A calendar flipping to the next page.

Word Web

Future Time Calendar Planning Next day

Challenge

Write down one thing you want to do tomorrow.

Word Origin

Old English

Original meaning: On the morning

Cultural Context

None

Used universally in business and personal life to manage time.

'Tomorrow' from the musical Annie 'Tomorrow Never Dies' (James Bond film) 'Tomorrow' by Silverchair

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At work

  • Deadline is tomorrow
  • See you tomorrow
  • Tomorrow's meeting

Travel

  • Flight is tomorrow
  • Leaving tomorrow
  • Arriving tomorrow

Social

  • Let's meet tomorrow
  • Are you free tomorrow?
  • See you tomorrow night

Planning

  • Tomorrow's schedule
  • Planning for tomorrow
  • Looking ahead to tomorrow

Conversation Starters

"What are your plans for tomorrow?"

"Is tomorrow going to be a busy day for you?"

"Do you prefer planning for tomorrow or living in the moment?"

"What is one thing you hope happens tomorrow?"

"Are you looking forward to tomorrow?"

Journal Prompts

Write about your goals for tomorrow.

Describe how you feel when you have a busy day tomorrow.

If you could change one thing about tomorrow, what would it be?

Reflect on a time you were excited about tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

No, never use a preposition with tomorrow.

No, it is uncountable.

No, that is grammatically incorrect.

It can be both, but it functions as an adverb of time in most sentences.

On the second syllable: to-MOR-row.

Historically yes, but now it means the whole day.

Usually no, unless you are reporting what someone said about the future.

It is neutral and used in all registers.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

I will see you ___.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: tomorrow

No preposition is needed.

multiple choice A2

Which of these is the correct way to use the word?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: I will go tomorrow.

Adverbs of time do not take prepositions.

true false B1

Is 'tomorrows' a common plural noun?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It is generally used as an uncountable time reference.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

These are common time collocations.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Standard future tense word order.

fill blank A2

___ is the day after today.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: Tomorrow

Definition of tomorrow.

multiple choice B1

Which phrase means 'don't procrastinate'?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: Never put off until tomorrow

This is a classic proverb.

true false B2

Can 'tomorrow' refer to the future in general?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: True

Yes, it is often used figuratively.

match pairs A2

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Time sequence.

sentence order C1

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Building a better tomorrow.

Score: /10

Related Content

More Time words

lifetime

A1

A lifetime is the entire period of time that a person is alive. It can also refer to the length of time that an object, like a machine, works correctly.

weekend

A1

The weekend is the period of time at the end of the week, typically including Saturday and Sunday. It is generally a time when people do not work or attend school and use the time for rest or leisure.

bygone

C1

Refers to things, events, or eras that belong to an earlier time and no longer exist. It is frequently used to evoke nostalgia or to describe something that is archaic or historically distant.

yesterday

A1

Yesterday refers to the day immediately before today. It is used to describe events, actions, or states that occurred in the very recent past, specifically one day ago.

prior

B2

Existing or coming before in time, order, or importance. It is frequently used to describe a previous arrangement or knowledge that someone has before a specific point in time.

eventual

B2

Describing something that happens at the end of a long process or period of time, often after several difficulties or intermediate steps. It characterizes the final result or outcome of a situation rather than the immediate one.

May

A1

May is the fifth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, falling between April and June. It has 31 days and is associated with the peak of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

hour

A1

A unit of time that lasts for sixty minutes. There are twenty-four of these units in one full day.

anytime

C1

Refers to an unspecified or indefinite point in time that is available or convenient for an action to occur. It denotes complete flexibility and the absence of a fixed schedule or temporal restriction.

prologation

C1

Prolongation refers to the act of extending the duration or length of something, or the state of being extended beyond the usual or expected limit. It is frequently used in technical, legal, or formal contexts to describe an increase in time for a contract, a medical condition, or a physical dimension.

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