Definition of EVER

ever

Adverb

  • At all times; always, or at any time.
  • at any time
    • "did you ever smoke?"
  • at all times; all the time and on every occasion
    • "ever hoping to strike it rich"
    • "ever busy"
  • (intensifier for adjectives) very
    • "she was ever so friendly"

Adv

  • Always, frequently, forever.
  • Continuously, constantly, all the time (for the complete duration).
  • At any time.
  • As intensifier following an interrogative word.
  • Indicates experiential aspect, once; has or have (done something) before.

Adj

  • Occurring at any time, occurring even but once during a timespan.

Det

  • Shortening of every

Examples

  • Did I ever!
  • He was EVER vigilant for a seven-letter word opportunity.
  • He's back and better than ever.
  • I scarcely ever see you anymore!.
  • If that ever happens, we’re in deep trouble.
  • It was ever thus.
  • I’ll stop your ever doing that again.
  • People struggled to cope with the ever-increasing cost of living.
  • This is one of the best movies ever.
  • Was I ever glad to see you!
  • We've only ever talked on the phone.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English ever, from Old English ǣfre, originally a phrase whose first element undoubtedly consists of Old English ā (“ever, always”) + in (“in”) + an element possibly from feorh (“life, existence”) (dative fēore). Compare Old English ā tō fēore (“ever in life”), Old English feorhlīf (“life”).
Sense 5 of the adverb was likely formed by association with never, which also carries the meaning of did not in colloquial Singaporean and Malaysian English. Also, compare Chinese 有 … 過 /有 … 过 (yǒu ... guò / jau⁵ ... gwo³, “has […] before”).

Synonyms

always, e'er, ever so, of all time, forever, the dickens

Antonyms

never

Scrabble Score: 7

ever: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
ever: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
ever: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 8

ever: valid Words With Friends Word