always
Americanadverb
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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.
“People always ask how long it takes to make a basket, and I tell them what Jan Timbrook likes to say, ‘It takes as long as it takes,’” Hammel-Sawyer said.
From Los Angeles Times
You know, actors always come from a place of fear.
From Los Angeles Times
She was a very special person — I always felt it, but when she passed was the opportunity to say so.
From Los Angeles Times
My feeling always is that if I ever get behind making something, I want as many people as possible to see it.
From Los Angeles Times
The series begins with lines from the novel: “There are at least two sides to every story. Yours and mine. Ours and theirs. His and hers. Which means someone is always lying.”
From Los Angeles Times
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.
