Always
/ˈɔːlweɪz/
adverbBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Idiom
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
In every instance; without exception; at all times.
/ˈɔːlweɪz/
adverbneutralBeginner
General
At all times; forever.
He always helps his friends.
💡 Simply: Happening all the time.
More Examples
2
It's always sunny in California.
How It's Used
General
"She always arrives on time."
Literary
"Always remember the lessons learned."
Idioms & expressions
always and forever
For eternity; eternally.
"Their love will last always and forever."
From Old English *ǣlwiġ, from æl (all) + wiġ (way, time). It's a contraction of 'all ways' meaning 'in every way' or 'at all times'.
The word has retained its core meaning of 'at all times' through centuries of usage.
Memory tip
Think 'all ways' – every way, every time.
Practice
alwayalwaseallways
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written