ever

American  

[ev-er] / ˈɛv ər /

adverb

1. at all times; always.

   an ever-present danger; He is ever ready to find fault.

   Synonyms:

   constantly, perpetually, eternally

   Antonyms:

   never

2. continuously.

   ever since then.

3. at any time.

   Have you ever seen anything like it?

4. in any possible case; by any chance; at all (often used to intensify or emphasize a phrase or an emotional reaction as surprise or impatience).

   How did you ever manage to do it? If the band ever plays again, we will dance.

---

adjective

1. South Midland and Southern U.S. every.

   She rises early ever morning.

idioms

1. ever and again, now and then; from time to time. Also ever and anon.

2. ever so, to a great extent or degree; exceedingly.

   They were ever so kind to me.

ever British  

/ ˈɛvə /

adverb

1. at any time

   have you ever seen it?

2. by any chance; in any case

   how did you ever find out?

3. at all times; always

   ever busy

4. in any possible way or manner

   come as fast as ever you can

5. informal (intensifier, in the phrases ever so, ever such, and ever such a )

   ever so good

   ever such bad luck

   ever such a waste

6. archaic now and then; from time to time

7. slang he displays the quality concerned in abundance

---

ever More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing ever

• hardly ever
• live happily ever after

---

Related Words

See always.

Etymology

Origin of ever

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English ǣfre

Related Words

• consistently
• constantly
• continually
• forever
• regularly
• usually