1. At all times; invariably: always late.
2. For all time; forever: They will always be friends.
3. At any time; in any event: You can always resign if you're unhappy.

[Middle English alweis : alwei, always (from Old English ealne weg : ealne, accusative of eall, all; see all + weg, way) + -es, adv. suff.; see -s³.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.