ever

[ ev-er ]

adverb

1. at all times; always:

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

   Synonyms: constantly, eternally, perpetually

   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.

ever

/ 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 such a waste

   ever such bad luck

   ever so good

6. ever and again or ever and anon archaic.
   now and then; from time to time
7. is he ever! slang.
   he displays the quality concerned in abundance

Word History and Origins

Origin of ever¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English ǣfre

Word History and Origins

Origin of ever¹

Old English ǣfre, of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. ever and again, now and then; from time to time. Also Literary, ever and anon.
2. ever so, to a great extent or degree; exceedingly:

   They were ever so kind to me.

More idioms and phrases containing ever

In addition to the idiom beginning with ever , also see hardly ever ; live happily ever after .

Synonym Study

See always.

Example Sentences

“If I could ever sell out a comedy club one time ever, that’s the epitome of what I think a comedian probably could be,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

“And I thought he had the coolest shirts I’d ever seen in my life.”

From Los Angeles Times

He told the BBC’s Evening Extra that Mr Reid “never set out to be a broadcaster” but turned out to be “the most respected journalist I have ever met”.

From BBC

He’s one of just four rookies ever to make nine threes in a game.

From Los Angeles Times

He's generally named people he's seen on TV, which I suppose makes sense since that was his only qualification for the presidency and in his mind he's the greatest leader the world has ever known.

From Salon

Related Words

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