forever

[fawr-ev-er, fer-]

adverb

1. without ever ending; eternally.

   Like the memory of her laughter, the love for her in our hearts will last forever.

2. continually; incessantly; always.

   He's forever complaining.

noun

1. an endless or seemingly endless period of time.

   It took them forever to make up their minds.

adjective

1. lasting for an endless period of time; permanent.

   The stray dog is staying with us until we can find a forever home for it.

forever

/ fɔːˈrɛvə, fə- /

adverb

1. Also: for ever. without end; everlastingly; eternally

2. at all times; incessantly

3. informal,  for a very long time

   he went on speaking forever

noun

1. informal,  (as object) a very long time

   it took him forever to reply

2. an exclamation expressing support or loyalty

   Scotland forever!

Usage

Forever and for ever can both be used to say that something is without end. For all other meanings, forever is the preferred form

Word History and Origins

Origin of forever¹

First recorded in 1300–50; originally a prepositional phrase for ever

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. forever and a day, eternally; always.

   They pledged to love each other forever and a day.

Example Sentences

“He was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of human. A true legend of legends. And his spirit will live forever in every groove, every stage, every memory,” it said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“This Marine made the ultimate sacrifice, and we are forever grateful for his selfless commitment and willingness to go into harm’s way.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He knows he’s not going to be around the building forever.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some become classics and they live on forever, and some don’t.

Read more on MarketWatch

It is a terrible thing to bear witness, but if we let these things continue to happen in the shadows, then they will happen forever.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• always 
• endlessly www.thesaurus.com
• eternally 
• permanently www.thesaurus.com