ever
adverb /ˈevə(r)/
/ˈevər/
Idioms - used in negative sentences and questions, or sentences with if to mean ‘at any time’
- Nothing ever happens here.
- Don't you ever get tired?
- If you're ever in Miami, come and see us.
- ‘Have you ever been to Rome?’ ‘Yes, I have, actually. Not long ago.’
- ‘Have you ever thought of changing your job?’ ‘No, never/No I haven’t.’
- She hardly ever (= almost never) goes out.
- We've only ever talked on the phone.
- I don't think I ever really thanked you properly.
- He wondered whether it would ever actually happen.
- We see them very seldom, if ever.
- (informal) I'll never ever do that again!
- I'm never speaking to you ever again!
- used for emphasis when you are comparing things
- It was raining harder than ever.
- Consumers today have more choices than ever before.
- It's my best ever score.
- It's the worst film I've ever seen.
- (rather formal) all the time or every time; always
- Paul, ever the optimist, agreed to try again.
- She married the prince and they lived happily ever after.
- He said he would love her for ever (and ever).
- Their debts grew ever larger (= kept increasing).
- the ever-growing problem
- an ever-present danger
- used after when, why, etc. to show that you are surprised or shocked
- Why ever did you agree?
Word OriginOld English ǣfre, of unknown origin.
Idioms
all somebody ever does is…
- used to emphasize that somebody does the same thing very often, usually in an annoying way
- All he ever does is grumble about things.
did you ever (…)!
- (old-fashioned, informal) used to show that you are surprised or shocked
- Did you ever hear anything like it?
ever since (…)
- continuously since the time mentioned
- He's had a car ever since he was 18.
- I was bitten by a dog once and I've been afraid of them ever since.
ever so/ever such a
- (informal, especially British English) very; really
- He looks ever so smart.
- She's ever such a nice woman.
- It's ever so easy.
if ever there was (one)
- (informal) used to emphasize that something is certainly true
- That was a disaster if ever there was one!
was/is/does, etc. somebody ever!
- (informal, especially North American English) used to emphasize something you are talking about
- ‘You must have been upset by that.’ ‘Was I ever!’
yours ever/ever yours
- sometimes used at the end of an informal letter, before you write your name