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

The map still favors Republicans, but Trump’s declining popularity --- particularly on the economy --- makes Democrats’ once long-shot bid to retake the Senate more feasible than ever. —Erin Cox, Washington Post, 25 Apr. 2026

Iowa State This is a Pete Carroll pick if ever there were one. —Sam Warren, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026

Literally the most athletic defensive lineman ever. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026

The Chernobyl disaster is the worst nuclear power plant accident ever in terms of death toll and cost. —Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 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 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