Always

//ˈɔːl.weɪz// adv, noun, slang

Definitions

Adverb
  1. 1
    At all times; throughout all time; since the beginning. not-comparable

    "God is always the same."

  2. 2
    Constantly during a certain period, or regularly at stated intervals (opposed to sometimes or occasionally). not-comparable

    "In this street, the shops always close during lunchtime."

  3. 3
    if necessary, or if there is no better option; in any event. informal, not-comparable

    "I thought I could always go back to work."

Adverb
  1. 1
    at all times; all the time and on every occasion wordnet
  2. 2
    forever; throughout all time wordnet
  3. 3
    at any time or in any event wordnet
  4. 4
    invariably wordnet
  5. 5
    without variation or change, in every case wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English alweyes, alwayes, alweys, a variant of Middle English alwey, alway (“always”), from Old English ealneġ, ealne weġ (“always, perpetually”, literally “all the way, all the while, continuously”), from ealne + weġ (accusative case), equivalent to alway + -s. Cognate with Scots always (“always”), Low German allerwegens (“very often”, literally “all ways'”). More at all, way.

Etymology 2

From Middle English alweyes, alwayes, alweys, a variant of Middle English alwey, alway (“always”), from Old English ealneġ, ealne weġ (“always, perpetually”, literally “all the way, all the while, continuously”), from ealne + weġ (accusative case), equivalent to alway + -s. Cognate with Scots always (“always”), Low German allerwegens (“very often”, literally “all ways'”). More at all, way.

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