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

"Graphic design has always developed in step with technological change - from letterpress to phototypesetting to desktop publishing and now Gen AI," she said.

Read more on BBC

“If we have too many AI5 chips for the cars and robots, we can always put them in the data center.”

Read more on MarketWatch

The gap in outcomes between schools wasn’t always so stark.

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“I’m always thinking of throwing as much as I can in the strike zone, and I think it will be good if I pitch the way I usually do.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“It’s always been important to think about how to create assignments that are meaningful and deepen learning, and the increasing use of AI makes this more true than ever,” Galloway said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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