ever
/ˈɛvə
/adverb
1 [usually with negative or in questions] At any time: nothing ever seemed to ruffle her don’t you ever regret giving up all that money?...
- The truth, however, is that I never ever regret my regular trips to the gym.
- Remember the names of those politicians and never ever trust anything that they ever say again!
- It's easier said than done but you will never ever have a better chance of doing it than right now.
Synonyms
at any time, at any point, on any occasion, under any circumstances, on any account;
up till now, until now
1.1Used in comparisons for emphasis: they felt better than ever before our biggest ever range...
- This is the third year of the festive event and is set to be the best ever with a whole range of surprises in store for visitors.
- The richest range of blue I ever saw came onboard flights throughout Pacific islands.
- The soundtrack has been expanded, with unexpected classics, and the range of vehicles is wider than ever.
2At all times; always: ever the man of action, he was impatient with intellectuals caravan holidays remain as popular as ever they lived happily ever after [in combination]: he toyed with his ever-present cigar...
- I heard a tale of true romance, crusty old prehistoric creatures and happily ever after.
- It did average business and I recovered some money so that I could live happily ever after.
- All too many do not live happily ever after and opt for being single again.
Synonyms
always, forever, at all times, eternally, until the end of time
informal until the twelfth of never, until the cows come home, until hell freezes over, until doomsday
continually, constantly, always, at all times, endlessly, perpetually, incessantly, unceasingly, unremittingly, repeatedly, recurrently
3 [with comparative] Increasingly; constantly: having to borrow ever larger sums...
- Nursing and support staff do a wonderful job but are constantly under pressure from ever dwindling resources.
- The collective refuse to be labelled as their music selection is ever changing and constantly modified.
- This same organisation does not hide its desire to grow ever bigger.
4Used for emphasis in questions expressing astonishment or outrage: who ever heard of a grown man being frightened of the dark? why ever did you do it?...
- Did they ever actually tell you that there were no jobs they had for you?
- He said this is the most ridiculous question he has ever heard and then hung up on me.
- How the hell did we ever manage to get through an election night before the internet?
Synonyms
at all, in any way, on earth
Phrases
ever again
ever and anon
ever since
ever so/such
for ever
if ever there was
yours ever
Origin
Old English ǣfre, of unknown origin.