alway

English

Etymology

From Middle English allwaye, alle wey, from Old English ealneġ, ealneweġ (“always, perpetually”, literally “all the way”), from ealne + weġ (accusative case), equivalent to al- (“all”) +‎ way. Cognate with Scots alwayis (“always”). More at all, way.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɔːl.weɪ/, (poetic) /ɔːlˈweɪ/

Adverb

alway (not comparable)

1. (archaic) Alternative form of always
   • 1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Matthew xxviij, folio xliii, recto:

     And lo I am with you allwaye even untyll the ende off the worlde.

   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, John 7:6, column 1:

     Then Ieſus ſaid vnto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

   • 1900, Ernest Dowson, Villanelle of Sunset, lines 16–17:

     Tired flower! upon my breast,
     I would wear thee alway

Derived terms

• alwayness