always

adverb

al·​ways ˈȯl-wēz 

-wəz,

-(ˌ)wāz 

 also  ˈȯ-

1

: at all times : invariably

always smiling

2

: forever

will love you always

3

: at any rate : in any event

You can always try again if it doesn't work this time.

Synonyms

• aye
• ay
• consistently
• constantly
• continually
• ever
• forever
• incessantly
• invariably
• night and day
• perpetually
• unfailingly

Examples of always in a Sentence

He always tries, but he doesn't always succeed.

It's always a pleasure to see you.

I can always tell when he's upset.

This area is always filled with tourists.

Things won't always go as planned.

You're always welcome to stay with us.

He has always been a good friend to me.

Life won't always be this easy.

I always thought they'd get married some day, but they never did.

Isn't that what you've always wanted?

Recent Examples on the Web

One lesson from the anti-CAA protests is that change doesn’t always start at the top. —Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

But whatever the method, the goal was always to delight and one-up each other. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2025

Lighting that makes your space feel more inviting and comfortable is always the aim. —Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 23 Mar. 2025

The match in Montevideo was always going to be decided by a moment of quality and that arrived in the 68th minute following some clever play from Almada and Alvarez. —Anantaajith Raghuraman, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alwayes, from alwey

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing always

• always-on
• as always
• the grass is always greener on the other side (of the fence)

Rhymes for always

• ablaze
• airways
• allays
• amaze
• anglaise
• appraise
• archways
• arrays
• ashtrays
• assays
• ballets
• berets

Kids Definition

always

adverb

al·​ways ˈȯl-wēz  -wəz 

-ˌwāz

1

: at all times : invariably

always ready for a party

2

: throughout all time : forever

I'll remember you always