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

Eventually, after Maguire researched his condition, he recovered after time spent meditating, exercising and bonding with his son.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

Eventually, that combination could pave the wave for rate hikes.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026

Eventually, a selfie from Fred smiling at the game returned her to reality: the call, she realized, was an elaborate scam.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

Eventually, the shift toward immigration enforcement reached even beyond ATF’s agents to the industry operations investigators who inspect dealers.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

Eventually he’d hop onto the subway with Vinny and ride down to Wall Street to meet with a woman at S&P named Ernestine Warner.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

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