always

[ awl-weyz, -weez ]

adverb

1. every time; on every occasion; without exception:

   He always works on Saturday.

   Synonyms: consistently, regularly

2. all the time; continuously; uninterruptedly:

   There is always some pollution in the air.

   Synonyms: unceasingly, perpetually, constantly

3. forever:

   Will you always love me?

   Synonyms: evermore, eternally

4. in any event; at any time; if necessary:

   She can always move back with her parents.

always

/ ˈɔːlweɪz; -wɪz /

adverb

1. without exception; on every occasion; every time

   he always arrives on time

2. continually; repeatedly
3. in any case

   you could always take a day off work

4. informal.
   for ever; without end

   our marriage is for always

Word History and Origins

Origin of always¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English alwayes, alleweyes, alles weis, alteration of alle wey alway

Word History and Origins

Origin of always¹

C13 alles weiss, from Old English ealne weg, literally: all the way; see all , way

Synonym Study

Both always and ever refer to uniform or perpetual continuance. Always often expresses or implies repetition as producing the uniformity or continuance: The sun always rises in the east. Ever implies an unchanging sameness throughout: Natural law is ever to be reckoned with.

Example Sentences

He identifies as transgender on Scruff but not always on Grindr.

From The Daily Beast

They are always suspended over a precipice, dangling by a slender thread that shows every sign of snapping.

From The Daily Beast

The motives were most always harmless, and only sometimes ethically questionable.

From The Daily Beast

A guard is manning the door, which is always kept ajar so she can be monitored.

From The Daily Beast

I always wanted my life to be that way, and it became that way.

From The Daily Beast

This is a feature by means of which it is always possible to distinguish the Great Horsetail from any other species.

From Project Gutenberg

In the drawing-room things went on much as they always do in country drawing-rooms in the hot weather.

From Project Gutenberg

You see, I'd always thought of him as the boy whom Great-aunt Lucia described having seen.

From Project Gutenberg

Many British Ferns evidence a marked tendency to “sport,” and this is a fact which the beginner should always bear in mind.

From Project Gutenberg

You see, they always butter their chairs so that they won't stick fast when they sit down.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• consistently
• constantly
• ever
• invariably
• regularly
• repeatedly