Words / B1

i-VENCH-oo-uh-lee/ɪˈventʃuəli/

Eventually means after a long time, or after many steps: we eventually found the street. It does not mean “possibly” or “maybe” — that is perhaps / possibly, a very common error. Finally can mark the last item in a list; eventually stresses the wait. In the end is a close informal pair. Eventual is the adjective: the eventual winner.

Meaning

After a long time, or after a lot of things have happened.

Examples

• “We eventually found the right street.”
• “She eventually decided to take the job.”
• “The bus eventually arrived, twenty minutes late.”

Good to know

after a wait / many steps. Not “maybe.” List-final: finally. Informal: in the end. Adjective: eventual.

Near in meaning

finally

New