Synonyms

ever

American

[ev-er] / ˈɛv ər /

adverb

at all times; always.

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

Synonyms:

constantly, perpetually, eternally

Antonyms:

never
continuously.

ever since then.
at any time.

Have you ever seen anything like it?
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

South Midland and Southern U.S. every.

She rises early ever morning.

idioms

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

They were ever so kind to me.

ever British

/ ˈɛvə /

adverb

at any time

have you ever seen it?
by any chance; in any case

how did you ever find out?
at all times; always

ever busy
in any possible way or manner

come as fast as ever you can
informal (intensifier, in the phrases ever so, ever such, and ever such a )

ever so good
ever such bad luck
ever such a waste
archaic now and then; from time to time
slang he displays the quality concerned in abundance

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ever More Idioms

More idioms and phrases containing ever

Related Words

See always.

Etymology

Origin of ever

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English ǣfre

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ever since the Covid pandemic exposed the fragility of global supply chains, the shipping industry has lurched from one market-disrupting event to another.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

Ever since the launch of ChatGPT, top artificial-intelligence labs have been embroiled in a cutthroat competition to one-up each other with powerful new features.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

As a result, Paul was hit with a restraining order, she temporarily lost custody of Ever, the 2-year-old son she shares with Mortensen, and ABC pulled “The Bachelorette.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Browning will also talk about two novels, one of which, Jerusalem, may never be published after Dame Iris left a note on the manuscript stating "Not for Publication, Ever."

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Irian made to follow, Nighthand holding the Ever Onward steady against the side of the Shadow Dancer.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023