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
Related Words
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
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.
South Carolina in the Final Four was always going to be a titanic clash of the most towering figures in women’s college basketball.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026
He addressed the media at the time saying: "Since arriving at the club, I have given everything. I will always give everything, until the last day I am here."
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
The investing novice says the market always comes back.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
It’s not that you shouldn’t trust them, but that you should always keep a few conditions in mind.
From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026
“But Picnic is something—well, Angelina didn’t grow up here, so it don’t mean the same thing to her. And she always felt people were staring at her.”
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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.
