always
3 ENTRIES FOUND:
always
/ˈɑːlˌweɪz/
adverb
always
/ˈɑːlˌweɪz/
adverb
Britannica Dictionary definition of ALWAYS
1
a
:
at all times
:
on every occasion
:
in a way that does not change
—
opposite never
-
He always tries, but he doesn't always succeed.
-
It's always a pleasure to see you.
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I can always tell when he's upset.
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He's always [=constantly] looking for ways to make money.
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She's almost always smiling.
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This area is always filled with tourists.
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You should always (remember to) wear your seat belt.
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The holidays are always a very busy time for us. = (less commonly) The holidays always are a very busy time for us.
-
Things won't always go as planned.
-
You're always welcome to stay with us.
b
:
at all times in the past
-
He has always been a good friend to me.
-
They didn't always get along so well. [=they get along now, but they didn't like each other in the past]
-
It hasn't always been easy for him. [=difficult or sad things have happened to him]
-
He could always make me angry. = He always could make me angry. [=he often made me angry]
2
:
throughout all time
:
for a very long time: such as
a
:
forever into the future
-
I'll remember you always. [=forever]
-
You'll always be my best friend. = You're my best friend, and you always will be.
-
Life won't always be this easy.
b
:
forever in the past
:
from the beginning of the time that can be remembered
-
I've always loved you.
-
I always thought they'd get married some day, but they never did.
-
Isn't that what you've always wanted?
-
She always wanted to be famous.
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It has always been my goal to have my own business.
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He's always been a firm believer in hard work. = He's a firm believer in hard work, and he always has been.
3
:
often, frequently, or repeatedly
— often used to describe repeated behavior that is annoying
-
We always tell people not to arrive too early.
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My parents always told me not to speak to strangers.
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She's always calling me by the wrong name.
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Must you always be so rude?!
-
He always tells such funny stories. = He's always telling such funny stories.
4
— used to suggest another possibility
— usually used after can or could
-
If we don't win today, there's always tomorrow. [=we might win tomorrow]
-
If she doesn't answer the phone now, you can/could always try (calling) again later.
-
If you don't have enough money now, you can always use your credit card.
as always
— used to say that something was expected because it always happens
-
As always, dinner was delicious. [=dinner was delicious, as it always is]
-
Your children, as always, were very well-behaved. [=your children were well-behaved, as they always are]
