forever

[fawr-ev-er, fer-]

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.

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.

forever

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of forever¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. forever and a day, eternally; always.

   They pledged to love each other forever and a day.

Example Sentences

The unique, real thing that I have forever is the feeling for my music.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The forever chemicals in my blood would "most likely" have an impact on my health, she told me.

Read more on BBC

In a tribute to the man who he described as "a radical and a pioneer", Rajan wrote that Sir Andreas had "profoundly transformed British journalism for the better, and forever."

Read more on BBC

They were just fathers reconnecting with daughters they feared they’d miss out on forever.

Read more on Salon

"He will always be in our hearts and eternally missed. We take comfort knowing that his legacy will live on forever."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• always 
• endlessly www.thesaurus.com
• eternally 
• permanently www.thesaurus.com