eventually

American  

[ih-ven-choo-uh-lee] / ɪˈvɛn tʃu ə li /

adverb

1. finally; ultimately; at some later time.

   Eventually we will own the house free and clear.

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eventually British  

/ ɪˈvɛntʃʊəlɪ /

adverb

1. at the very end; finally

2. (as sentence modifier) after a long time or long delay

   eventually, he arrived

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Etymology

Origin of eventually

First recorded in 1650–60; eventual + -ly

Explanation

Eventually refers to an unspecific time when something will be completed, and it usually suggests it won't be done soon. Think of eventually being said with a big sigh, as though the speaker knows that it will take a long time before something will be finished. Still, it does allow for the hope that, although it might not be anytime soon, it will be done at last — a promise fulfilled. Not now, maybe, but eventually.

Example Sentences

"Russia will very likely eventually develop countermeasures so Ukraine's international partners have a rare and temporary opportunity to exploit favourable battlefield dynamics while Ukraine has the upper hand."

From BBC • May 30, 2026

But as the stadium fell silent, the ball kept sailing — and it eventually cleared the wall over leaping Bruins right fielder Jarrod Hocking.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Juin allegedly kept insisting that the deal would close imminently, but the classmate eventually asked for his money back.

From MarketWatch • May 29, 2026

The train eventually filled up, with highly social creatures now sitting side by side for 30 to 45 minutes, completely ignoring each other.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Lower and lower his back arched as his poor knees bent, eventually bringing him flat on the ground with the table straddled above him.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el

Related Words

• finally
• in the course of time
• one day
• someday
• sooner or later
• ultimately