always

American  

[awl-weyz, -weez] / ˈɔl weɪz, -wiz /

adverb

1. every time; on every occasion; without exception.

   He always works on Saturday.

   Synonyms:

   consistently, regularly

2. all the time; continuously; uninterruptedly.

   There is always some pollution in the air.

   Synonyms:

   unceasingly, perpetually, constantly

3. forever.

   Will you always love me?

   Synonyms:

   evermore, eternally

4. in any event; at any time; if necessary.

   She can always move back with her parents.

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always British  

/ ˈɔːlweɪz, -wɪz /

adverb

1. without exception; on every occasion; every time

   he always arrives on time

2. continually; repeatedly

3. in any case

   you could always take a day off work

4. informal for ever; without end

   our marriage is for always

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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

Pregnancy dating is almost always an estimate, yet it determines the type of care women receive as pregnancies progress.

From Science Daily

His tableaux don’t always succeed, but when they do, their strangeness hints at things beyond ordinary ken.

From The Wall Street Journal

"We have an excellent national health service, which has been able to handle and almost always resolve complex situations. So, I believe citizens should not lose faith."

From BBC

The form and the process is going to matter, as always in Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal

“She always went out of her way to make sure there was a woman around the table.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• consistently
• constantly
• ever
• invariably
• regularly
• repeatedly