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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"When Cultures Meet"
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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.
Whether it will be forever ranked against the likes of General Motors and Toyota remains to be seen.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
She said fampridine was "working well for me" but came at a "significant expense and I could not keep doing that forever" so she had to stop.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
When they are, life will be fuller and more rewarding with peace and harmony forever.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Liverpool, for whom Keegan played for between 1971 and 1977, said Keegan's "indomitable spirit and remarkable contribution will be forever etched in our history and his legacy will live on".
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
“You’re not the first person to say that, though. We’ve been here forever, but like you, we’re still trying to be seen.”
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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.
