ever

[ev-er]

adverb

1. at all times; always.

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

   Synonyms: constantly, perpetually, eternally
   Antonyms: never

2. continuously.

   ever since then.

3. at any time.

   Have you ever seen anything like it?

4. 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

1. South Midland and Southern U.S.,  every.

   She rises early ever morning.

ever

/ ˈɛvə /

adverb

1. at any time

   have you ever seen it?

2. by any chance; in any case

   how did you ever find out?

3. at all times; always

   ever busy

4. in any possible way or manner

   come as fast as ever you can

5. informal,  (intensifier, in the phrases ever so, ever such, and ever such a )

   ever so good

   ever such bad luck

   ever such a waste

6. archaic,  now and then; from time to time

7. slang,  he displays the quality concerned in abundance

Word History and Origins

Origin of ever¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English ǣfre

Word History and Origins

Origin of ever¹

Old English ǣfre, of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. ever and again, now and then; from time to time. Also ever and anon.

2. ever so, to a great extent or degree; exceedingly.

   They were ever so kind to me.

More idioms and phrases containing ever

• hardly ever
• live happily ever after

Synonym Study

See always.

Example Sentences

“There’s a question of, ‘If stand-your-ground is invoked, can we withstand it without calling the defendant to testify, with our evidence, before we ever get to a jury?’” she said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Cannabis "flower" - or buds - have hardly ever been prescribed on the NHS since the law changed to allow it for medicinal reasons in 2018, but there is a growing private industry.

Read more on BBC

Travel has always been a key feature of wealthy people’s lives, and more than ever they prioritize privacy, efficiency and customization, industry specialists say.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He was asked if he'd ever known a night like this one in football.

Read more on BBC

"As convincing and one-sided a win as you'll ever see in boxing."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• consistently 
• constantly 
• continually 
• forever 
• regularly 
• usually