always

adverb

al·​ways ˈȯl-wēz How to pronounce always (audio)
-wəz,
-(ˌ)wāz How to pronounce always (audio)
 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.

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 Education had always been highly valued in her family: one of her grandmothers had been a principal in Liberia, and her mother, who remained there, is a teacher. Alec MacGillis, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024 There’s a third option, and that option is Christine Baranski, and Christine Baranski is always a winning ticket. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2024 Lily and Charlie always knew this wasn’t just any house. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 19 Aug. 2024 Attending your first Taylor Swift show is always a big deal. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 19 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for always 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'always.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alwayes, from alwey

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of always was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near always

Cite this Entry

“Always.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/always. Accessed 13 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

always

adverb
al·​ways ˈȯl-wēz How to pronounce always (audio) -wəz How to pronounce always (audio)
-ˌwāz
1
: at all times : invariably
always ready for a party
2
: throughout all time : forever
I'll remember you always

More from Merriam-Webster on always

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!