every

[ ev-ree ]

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.

every

/ 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 so often

   every now and then

4. every bit
   used in comparisons with as quite; just; equally

   every bit as funny as the other show

5. every other
   each alternate; every second

   every other day

6. every which way
   1. in all directions; everywhere

      I looked every which way for you

   2. from all sides

      stones coming at me every which way

Word History and Origins

Origin of every¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of every¹

C15 everich, from Old English ǣfre ǣlc, from ǣfre ever + ǣlc each

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. every bit, in every respect; completely:

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

2. 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.

3. every other, every second; every alternate:

   milk deliveries every other day.

4. every which way, in all directions; in disorganized fashion:

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

More idioms and phrases containing every

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

Synonym Study

See each.

Example Sentences

Fortunately, the brain is suspended in cerebrospinal fluid designed to buffer the motions of every-day life.

From The Daily Beast

“I am not going to have a monthly or every-three-months conversation about whether or not we pay our bills,” Obama said.

From The Daily Beast

“Beverage wine” is a term commonly used for inexpensive wine purchased for every-night dinners.

From The Daily Beast

It is an every-day spectacle; it would not seem at first sight to contain material for a picture.

From Project Gutenberg

It has got to be such an every-day thing that nobody looks surprised or pays any attention to him.

From Project Gutenberg

The distant sound, coming from the world of men and every-day affairs, seemed to break the spell.

From Project Gutenberg

In like manner we perceive marks of design and intelligence in the countless contrivances and instruments used in every-day life.

From Project Gutenberg

True politeness, as I understand it, is kindness and courtesy of feeling brought into every-day exercise.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• all