ever

adverb

ev·​er ˈe-vər 

1

: always

ever striving to improve

the ever-increasing population

2

a

: at any time

more than ever before

b

: in any way

How can I ever thank you?

3

—used as an intensive

looks ever so angry

am I ever happy to see you

see also:

ever and anon

Synonyms of ever

• forever
• always
• permanently

Examples of ever in a Sentence

The crime rate is higher now than it has ever been.

He's forgotten all he's ever learned about history.

Have you ever been to France?

She's doing fine and is as pretty as ever.

No one has ever seen a better example of woodwork.

Has this ever been done before?

Did it ever occur to you that I might like more myself?

That was the worst movie I ever saw.

Technology in recent years has become ever more sophisticated.

The deadline draws ever closer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Pritzker becomes the first Democratic governor ever elected to three terms. — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026

Since her 2019 debut, PURGE, which drew from her experiences in the New York and Berlin rave and punk scenes, Chen has been moving toward ever-sharper contrasts between caustic drones and close-mic’d croons. — James Gui, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026

Nearly 1 million Minnesotans cast absentee or mail ballots before Election Day, the most ever before an election in a non-presidential year, the secretary of state's office said. — Beret Leone, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Hispanic voters are making up a larger share of the electorate than ever. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English ǣfre

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ever

• as ever
• ever after
• ever and anon
• ever-changing
• ever present
• ever since
• ever so
• ever so slightly
• ever such
• hardly ever
• if it's the last thing someone (ever) does
• lived happily ever after
• live happily ever after
• never ever
• rarely/seldom ever
• rarely/seldom if ever
• Yours ever

Rhymes for ever

• bever
• clever
• haver
• lever
• never
• rever
• sever
• cantilever
• howsoever
• whatsoever
• whensoever
• wheresoever

Kids Definition

ever

adverb

ev·​er ˈev-ər 

1

: at all times : always

ever faithful

2

a

: at any time

has this ever been done before

b

: in any way : at all

how can I ever thank you

3

—used especially with so to give more force to a word

thank you ever so much