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 now and then

   every so often

4. (used in comparisons with as) quite; just; equally

   every bit as funny as the other show

5. each alternate; every second

   every other day

6. 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 which way, in all directions; in disorganized fashion.

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

3. 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.

4. every other, every second; every alternate.

   milk deliveries every other day.

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

"The weather at this time of the year has been changing every year in recent years, we can't promise our clients anything," said Passang, a travel agent in the Tibetan capital Lhasa.

Read more on BBC

"I loved how much she boosted the confidence of every contestant," wrote one X user, while another said she would have "cried tears" if Erivo had told her she "was fab".

Read more on BBC

Iair Horn, who was freed in February during a cease-fire, told relatives that despite his release he would never feel free until his brother and every other hostage returns, according to Cusnir.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"We're still taking care of the hostages who came back in January and February, and every week we discover new things."

Read more on BBC

"It's a very close-knit community and everyone, they're just simple people, go to work every day, take care of their families and just real a family-oriented community."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• all