forever
Americanadverb
-
without ever ending; eternally.
Like the memory of her laughter, the love for her in our hearts will last forever.
-
continually; incessantly; always.
He's forever complaining.
noun
adjective
idioms
adverb
-
Also: for ever. without end; everlastingly; eternally
-
at all times; incessantly
-
informal for a very long time
he went on speaking forever
noun
-
informal (as object) a very long time
it took him forever to reply
-
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
Explanation
Things that last forever never come to an end — they continue endlessly. An experience that changes you forever alters you in ways that will last the rest of your life. The adverb forever literally means "eternally," so when you promise, "I'll love you forever." you mean it. You can also use forever in a less literal, more exaggerated way: "It is taking forever for the bus to get here," or to mean "without stopping," as when you comment that the rain can't continue forever. The word combines for and ever, which stems from the Old English æfre, "always."
Vocabulary lists containing forever
Lyrics from "Umbrella" by Rihanna
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"On Surrender at Bear Paw Mountain, 1877"
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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.
The six-year-old economic expansion can’t go on forever, but it can go on for quite a while — as long as the labor market is stable and profits remain high.
From MarketWatch • May 9, 2026
He concluded: "It is the voice of a man who knows he won't be around forever but hopes passionately that Our Planet will."
From BBC • May 8, 2026
No one lives forever, not even centenarian Henry Kissinger.
From Salon • May 8, 2026
The Lakers had as many turnovers as baskets — seven! — while surrendering 11 points off those mistakes and blowing a one-point halftime lead forever.
From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026
“They can’t keep this up,” I said, but they did, seemed like forever.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
