English Reference
Adverb

invariably

adv. freq.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌɪnˈvɛɹiəbɫi/ UK /ɪnvˈeəɹɪəbli/ in·vari·ably

adv.always or almost always. You use this to describe something that happens every single time in the same way.

adv.in every case or on every occasion; without variation or exception.


SIMPLE

The train is invariably late on Monday mornings.

CONTEXTUAL

Whenever we go out for dinner, my brother invariably forgets his wallet and asks me to pay.

COMPLEX

In high-pressure environments, the lack of clear communication invariably leads to misunderstandings that can jeopardize the entire project's timeline.

Usage

Typically placed before the main verb or after the first auxiliary verb.

Pitfall
He invariably is late.He is invariably late.

When used with the verb 'to be', the adverb should follow the verb rather than precede it.

Periods of transition, the official added, “almost invariably requires you to work with elements of the existing structure, even as you are creating a new one”.

Al Jazeera· 1 Sept 2026

Ask any chief executive what supporters want at the start of a season and the answer is invariably the same: be better than last season.

The Guardian· 20 Aug 2026

From invariable + -ly.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated