always

al|ways

W1S1 [ˈo:lwız, -weız US ˈo:l-] adv

[Date: 1300-1400; : Old English; Origin: ealne weg 'all the way']

1.) all the time, at all times, or every time

▪ Always lock your bicycle to something secure.

▪ She'd always assumed that Gabriel was a girl's name.

▪ He hadn't always been a butler.

2.) for a very long time

▪ I've always wanted to go to Paris.

▪ John's always been keen on music.

3.) for ever

▪ I'll always remember that day.

4.) if someone or something is always doing something, they do it often, especially in an annoying way

▪ That woman next door's always complaining.

5.) always assuming/supposing (that) sth

BrE used to say that one important fact has to be accepted as true for something else to happen, be true etc

▪ We'll leave on Tuesday -- always assuming the car's repaired by then.

6.) as always

as is usual or expected

▪ The truth, as always, is more complicated.

▪ As always, Deborah was the last to arrive.

7.) can/could always do sth

there's always sth

spoken used to make a polite suggestion

▪ You could always try ringing again.

▪ If you can't get it locally, there's always the Internet.

8.) sb always was lucky/untidy etc

used to say you are not surprised by what someone has done because it is typical of them

▪ You always were a stubborn creature.

▪ He's a troublemaker! Always was and always will be!

see usage note ↑still¹