always

[ awl-weyz, -weez ]

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.

always

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of always¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English alwayes, alleweyes, alles weis, alteration of alle wey alway

Word History and Origins

Origin of always¹

C13 alles weiss, from Old English ealne weg, literally: all the way; see all , way

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

He wasn’t always the best gauge of his health.

From Los Angeles Times

"Harvey’s always been creative. He loved art, he loved poetry, he loved all that sort of thing," said Mrs Owen.

From BBC

"We have stressed that compulsory redundancies will always be a last resort."

From BBC

You speak to each other and that’s always way better than throwing something in the media.

From BBC

“I always wanted to manipulate my forms and change them. My hands always wanted to sculpt. After I took a hand-building class, I never looked back.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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