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

Lily decides to ostracize herself before eventually being saved — and redeemed — by the rest of the toys, but by then, it’s too late.

From Salon • Jun. 21, 2026

During a production trip to Paris, she started sourcing pieces and collecting references that would eventually make their way into this season years later.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 20, 2026

After fretting and weighing the pros and cons, I eventually caved and decided to start mine young.

From Slate • Jun. 20, 2026

That classroom exercise eventually evolved into a published scientific paper.

From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2026

They would become debutantes, where they would come out to society their senior year in high school as eligible to date and eventually marry.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Related Words

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