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

"It forever changes the shape and the nature of the right to a fair trial," says Ms Jahangir.

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"I genuinely don't think I could be with someone who didn't want to understand the endometriosis, because ultimately, I will live with it forever. It's chronic," she added.

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"No more forever wars. No more unjust wars. No more Libya. No more Afghanistan," Maduro said on CNN on 13 November.

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Platters of bacon, eggs and hash browns have been around forever.

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For much that is gone, Mr. Fox shows, is certainly gone forever.

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Related Words

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