always
- 1Constantly throughout a period, or regularly at stated intervals, rather than only sometimes.
He always arrives ten minutes early for meetings.
The bakery always sells out of bread by noon.
UsageUsually before the main verb but after be: he always arrives early (not
incorrect: arrives always), she is always late.Similarconstantly, invariably, consistently
- 2At all times, throughout the whole of time, from the very beginning.
Philosophers debate whether the universe has always existed or had a beginning.
Humans have always searched for ways to explain the world.
UsageOften with have: humans have always searched, the universe has always existed.
Similarforever, eternally, perpetually, endlessly, continually
Oppositenever
- 3Used to put forward something as a fallback option, if necessary or if no better choice exists.
If dinner plans fall through, we can always order takeout instead.
We can always reschedule the meeting if something comes up.
UsageUsually after can or could: we can always order takeout.
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English alweyes, a variant of alwey, from Old English ealne weġ, literally "all the way" or "all the while," meaning continuously. It is made up of "all" plus "way" in the accusative case, with an added -s, and is related to Scots always and Low German allerwegens.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 5 facts
- Always derives from Middle English alweyes, a variant of alwey. en.wiktionary.org
- Alwey derives from Old English ealne weġ, meaning continuously and literally all the way or all the while. en.wiktionary.org
- The underlying expression combines all and way in the accusative case. en.wiktionary.org
- The form always has an added -s suffix. en.wiktionary.org
- Always is related to Scots always and Low German allerwegens. en.wiktionary.org