for·ev·er
fə-ˈre-vər 
fȯ-;
Southern often fə-ˈe-və
1
a
: for a limitless time : for all time
wants to live forever
b
: for a very long time
I've been waiting forever for the doctor.
2
: at all times : continually
is forever making bad puns
: a seemingly interminable time : excessively long
It took her forever to find the answer.
: not temporary or changing : permanent
"Any mandate we're looking at would be temporary, this is not a forever thing," BART District 8 Director Janice Li told SFGATE.—
Eric Ting
Eric Ting
especially
: of, relating to, or being a lifelong relationship
The song fantasizes of a forever romance … —Ryan Dombal
Ryan Dombal Jim, who works for a federal agency, had a couple of post-divorce relationships that fizzled out and is ready to meet his forever person. Maybe even get remarried. —Tanya Ballard Brown
Tanya Ballard Brown The baby who started life in the NICU now has a forever family. Together, they're sharing the joys of the holiday season and encouraging others to consider fostering or adopting. —Joey Safchik
Joey Safchik This British reality show … centers on the caring staff at a rural animal rescue center, as they try to find forever homes for the dogs that have come into their care. —Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times Examples of forever in a Sentence
Adverb
She was convinced that she would live forever.
I've been waiting forever for the doctor.
a dog that was forever chasing cars
He's forever asking silly questions.
Noun
After what seemed like forever, I was able to see the doctor.
It took forever to find his keys.
Recent Examples on the Web
James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Everything worked out in the end—and wedding culture was changed forever—but needless to say, the wedding episode pulls the curtain back in spectacular fashion.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2026
Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
One way to mess with an option team’s Plan A is to not only stick them with third-and-forevers, but to put them in an early hole, making them throw out of desperation.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2019
Ibrahim Al-Marashi, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
This is how the forever wars turned into those wars of terrorism.
—Chris Tye, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forever
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adverb
The agent, Rogelio Reyes Huitzilin, said the incident forever changed his family.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Everything worked out in the end—and wedding culture was changed forever—but needless to say, the wedding episode pulls the curtain back in spectacular fashion.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
Those tush-pushes can’t beat you if The Winter Soldier’s facing third-and-forevers.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
One way to mess with an option team’s Plan A is to not only stick them with third-and-forevers, but to put them in an early hole, making them throw out of desperation.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2019
Adjective
Yet since 2001, San Diego County has been shaped by the forever wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with many veterans living here who served multiple tours in both places.
—Ibrahim Al-Marashi, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
This is how the forever wars turned into those wars of terrorism.
—Chris Tye, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forever
Cite this Entry
“Forever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forever. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
