every

American  

[ev-ree] / ˈɛv ri /

adjective

1. being one of a group or series taken collectively; each.

   We go there every day.

2. all possible; the greatest possible degree of.

   every prospect of success.

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idioms

1. every bit, in every respect; completely.

   This is every bit as good as she says it is.

2. every which way, in all directions; in disorganized fashion.

   I brushed against the table, and the cards fell every which way.

3. every now and then, on occasion; from time to time: Also every once in a while, every so often.

   She bakes her own bread every now and then.

4. every other, every second; every alternate.

   milk deliveries every other day.

every British  

/ ˈɛvrɪ /

determiner

1. each one (of the class specified), without exception

   every child knows it

2. (not used with a negative) the greatest or best possible

   every hope of success

3. each: used before a noun phrase to indicate the recurrent, intermittent, or serial nature of a thing

   every third day

   every now and then

   every so often

4. (used in comparisons with as) quite; just; equally

   every bit as funny as the other show

5. each alternate; every second

   every other day

6. 1. in all directions; everywhere

      I looked every which way for you

   2. from all sides

      stones coming at me every which way

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every More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing every

• at every turn
• each and every
• finger in the (every) pie
• living soul, every
• nook and cranny, every

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Related Words

See each.

Etymology

Origin of every

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English every, everich, Old English ǣfre ǣlc, literally “ever each” (the first element of the phrase reinforcing the second); ever ( def. ), each

Example Sentences

So every now and then he’d send a funny GIF to lighten the mood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Austin Reaves hobbled through the first quarter, grabbing at his left lower back at nearly every sudden movement.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

That lack of fear percolates through Ambiguous Desire, where every pang of doubt is offset by a moment of euphoria or beauty.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

One in every six animals used in food production globally passes through its facilities.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

The truth I can no longer deny is burning itself into every part of me, like it wants to make sure I never forget.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• all