forever

American  

[fawr-ev-er, fer-] / fɔrˈɛv ər, fər- /

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.

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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.

idioms

1. forever and a day, eternally; always.

   They pledged to love each other forever and a day.

forever British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of forever

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

Example Sentences

"He will be deeply missed and forever remembered," the band said in a statement on Saturday.

From BBC

Gemma told the court her "life changed forever" when she woke up the following morning to discover "Vicky had not come home".

From BBC

While sitting on a balcony in Benidorm, Zander Murray made a decision that would change his life forever, and for the better.

From BBC

“Trees simply do not grow to the sky. This will not last forever,” said Ted Weisberg, chief executive of Seaport Securities.

From The Wall Street Journal

This purgatory essentially mirrors life: There’s conflict and suffering and if you die again here, you vanish into darkness forever.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• always
• endlessly
• eternally
• permanently