Meaning & use
eventually
Last updated
UK/ɪˈventʃuəli/
US/ɪˈventʃuəli/
Meaning
adverbnot comparable
At the end of a period of time, delay or effort; after a while.
Grammar: Goes before the verb or at the start or end of a clause; it does not mean possibly.
Patterns
- eventually + verb
- and eventually
After three attempts, she eventually passed the exam.
The bus eventually arrived, an hour late.
He will eventually learn to cook.
Common combinations
- eventually decide
- They eventually decided to move.
- eventually find
- We eventually found the key.
- eventually die out
- The habit will eventually die out.
- sooner or later and eventually
- Prices will eventually rise.
Synonyms and how they differ
- finally
- Often adds relief or marks the last step, while eventually only says it took time.
- in the end
- More informal and often contrasts with early plans.
- ultimately
- Stresses the final result after everything is considered.
Opposites
Word family
- eventual adjective
- happening at the end of a process
- eventuality noun
- a possible future event
Commonly confused: eventually or possibly?
eventually vs possibly
Learners with Spanish or French often use eventually to mean possibly; it never does. It means after time, not maybe.
Practice
Which sentence uses eventually correctly?
Choose one answer.
Eventually means after a long process. It cannot mean possibly, so the first sentence is wrong.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “eventually”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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