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.

---

eventually British  

/ ɪˈvɛntʃʊəlɪ /

adverb

1. at the very end; finally

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

   eventually, he arrived

---

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

Wildlife groups are far from optimistic about the whale's future once it is eventually released into the North Sea.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

The tie-up also envisions eventually adding short-term rentals from the Vrbo platform.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Those investors eventually rushed back into stocks, crypto and new asset classes such as prediction markets, powering a rally in Robinhood shares last year that culminated with its inclusion in the benchmark S&P 500 index.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Understanding how such simple protocells eventually gave rise to the complex cells we see today remains a central question in origin-of-life research.

From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2026

The two scientists eventually said goodbye and kept moving.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

Related Words

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