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

“I am deeply committed to Dartmouth’s academic mission and values and will always defend our fierce independence,” Beilock said in a statement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The spokesperson said that Southers, 68, wanted to spend more time with his family and pursue other professional opportunities — something that wasn’t always allowed by the demands of serving as a commissioner.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I feel the more mad, crazy, experimental art happens in very small pockets, and that's what we're always trying to build."

Read more on BBC

For example, when TV presenter Kate Garraway stood accused of being a potential traitor for her excessively theatrical reactions, she defended herself by explaining she was always "a ham".

Read more on BBC

Economists and other experts have long repeated the conventional wisdom that the stock market isn’t the economy, meaning that temporary pullbacks on Wall Street don’t always ripple as far as the average American’s pocketbook.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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