forever

American  

[fawr-ev-er, fer-] / fɔrˈɛv ər, fər- /

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.

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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.

idioms

1. forever and a day, eternally; always.

   They pledged to love each other forever and a day.

forever British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of forever

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

Example Sentences

“You said a billion, and you didn’t say forever,” Huang said.

From Barron's

“We are indebted to his many contributions and will forever carry with us the many lessons learned,” wrote current chair Gabriel Gutierrez.

From Los Angeles Times

"They then worry that these images are out there forever."

From BBC

He said she would have been an amazing mother and that they would love her forever.

From BBC

Podcasts can run forever, but some hosts are bowing out as celebrities and YouTube dominate the industry.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• always
• endlessly
• eternally
• permanently