different between always vs alwayness

English

Alternative forms

• alwayes, alwayz, alwayez (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English alwayes, allwayes, allweyes, a variant of Middle English allwaye, alwey, alle wey (“always”), from Old English ealne?, ealnewe? (“always, perpetually”, literally “all the way, all the while, continuously”), from ealne + we? (accusative case), equivalent to alway +? -s. Cognate with Scots alwayis (“always”), Low German allerwegens (“very often”, literally “all ways'”). More at all, way.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /???(l).we?z/, /???l.w?z/
• (US) IPA^(key): /??l.we?z/, /??l.wiz/, /??l.w?z/
• Hyphenation: al?ways

Adverb

always (not comparable)

1. At all times; throughout all time; since the beginning.

   Synonyms: perpetually, continually, all the time, every time; see also Thesaurus:forever

   Antonyms: at no time, never; see also Thesaurus:never
2. Constantly during a certain period, or regularly at stated intervals (opposed to sometimes or occasionally).

   Synonyms: invariably, uniformly; see also Thesaurus:uniformly

   Antonyms: manywise, sundrily, variously; see also Thesaurus:diversely

   • 1840, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Money

     His liveries are black,—his carriage is black,—he always rides a black galloway,—and, faith, if he ever marry again, I think he will show his respect to the sainted Maria by marrying a black woman.
3. (informal) In any event.

   Synonyms: anyhow, anyway, at any rate, regardless; see also Thesaurus:regardless

Usage notes

• Used for both duration and frequency.
• "Always" used with a continuous tense can imply anger or annoyance about another person's persistent habits, for example "My mum is always telling me to tidy me room!".

Derived terms

• alwaysness

Translations

English

Etymology

alway +? -ness

Noun

alwayness (uncountable)

1. The state or quality of occurring always.