always
Americanadverb
-
every time; on every occasion; without exception.
He always works on Saturday.
- Synonyms:
- consistently, regularly
-
all the time; continuously; uninterruptedly.
There is always some pollution in the air.
- Synonyms:
- unceasingly, perpetually, constantly
-
Will you always love me?
-
in any event; at any time; if necessary.
She can always move back with her parents.
adverb
-
without exception; on every occasion; every time
he always arrives on time
-
continually; repeatedly
-
in any case
you could always take a day off work
-
informal for ever; without end
our marriage is for always
Synonym Usage
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.
Etymology
Origin of always
First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English alwayes, alleweyes, alles weis, alteration of alle wey alway
Explanation
To always do something is to never stop doing it, or to do it every time. Some people believe that if you always say “please” and “thanks,” everyone will love you. They’re wrong, but still — say “please” and “thanks.” The adverb always came about in the mid 14th century. It came from a pair of Old English words, ealne weg, which literally meant "all the way." A lot of times when people use the word they're exaggerating. If you routinely roll into work after everyone else has settled down at their desks, you boss might accuse you of "always" being late, even if you're only late once or twice a week.
Vocabulary lists containing always
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He added that franchise-heavy chains often struggle because the hundreds to thousands of independent owners don’t always agree with corporate leadership on things like menu prices, labor practices, and operations standards.
From Slate ● Aug. 24, 2026
“The Bauhaus was always an object of political debate—even during the Cold War,” she said at her office in the Unesco-listed Bauhaus building at the edge of town.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
They described PC Clough as having a "fantastic sense of humour" and said he "jumped into action whenever needed", adding he was "our hero" and always "willing to help anyone for any reason".
From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026
“Get your rest, kid. I’ll always remember the last 7v7 you played and said, ‘Coach, thank you for believing in me.’
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026
He is always prepared with a supply of bottled water, road flares, and a bunch of other emergency supplies.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
