for·ev·er
fə-ˈre-vər 
fȯ-;
Southern often fə-ˈe-və
1
: for a limitless time
wants to live forever
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 [=permanent adoptive homes] for the dogs that have come into their care. —latimes.com
latimes.com 
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the WebGideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2023
But when Fenty Beauty launched with 40 shades of foundation to include people with different complexions, the game was changed forever.
—Sonia Thompson, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
In the latest trailer for the pair’s upcoming Netflix documentary film, Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only, out Dec. 12, the pair discuss true friendship, family, and wanting their legacies to live forever.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 Nov. 2023
That’s a big challenge, to get something that memorable and get those songs that people will play forever in their set.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Nov. 2023
The Record Like many young bands, Slow Pulp’s rise is forever linked to the pandemic.
—Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 30 Nov. 2023
Many others, people whose names aren’t usually publicly released, have seen their lives almost taken and forever changed by that same violence.
—Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2023
This little 2-in-1 laptop has been one of the top budget picks in our Best Laptops Guide forever.
—Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2023
Automakers are fretting about electric-vehicle growth, higher interest rates are smashing financial plans, permitting for big projects still takes forever and offshore wind is a mess.
—Ed Ballard, WSJ, 27 Nov. 2023
Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2019
Printed with thermochromic ink, the stamp reveals a second image of the moon when a finger is pressed to it, and a sheet of 16 Forever stamps features a map of the eclipse path.
—Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2017
Forever is gonna start aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas Monday with a concert of lunar proportions.
—Chabeli Herrera, miamiherald, 17 Aug. 2017
Forever stamps are always equal to the current First-Class Mail service 1-ounce price.
—Michael McGough, sacbee, 14 July 2017
On July 12, the centenary of the artist’s birth, the postal service will celebrate the first day of 12 commemorative Forever stamps, each depicting a detail from a Wyeth painting.
—Stephan Salisbury, Philly.com, 26 June 2017
Try your hand at space exploration (Photo: Provided by US Postal Service)
The pane of 16 Forever stamps are available beginning Tuesday at Post Office facilities nationwide and may be pre-ordered for delivery after June 20.
—Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 20 June 2017
Kerry McDermott, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2023
And American leadership means ending the forever war in Afghanistan, Mr. Biden said, to applause.
—Grace Segers, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2021
The Arizona Humane Society’s Virtual Matchmaking Adoptions by appointment is available to place pets with their forever families.
—The Republic, The Arizona Republic, 8 Oct. 2022
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.
—Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2022
While many are currently in placements and have plans in place, hundreds are still awaiting the chance at their forever homes.
—Holly V. Hays, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Nov. 2020
There are two sloth pups at the San Antonio Zoo waiting to be given their forever names.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Mar. 2023
Remembering and honoring our forever hero, Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald.
—CBS News, 19 Feb. 2023
The photographer behind this book has been photographing shelter dogs who've been adopted into their forever homes since 2005.
—Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 14 Nov. 2022
See More
Adverb
The fact that this hasn’t often been achieved doesn’t mean that such an achievement is forever out of reach.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2023
But when Fenty Beauty launched with 40 shades of foundation to include people with different complexions, the game was changed forever.
—Sonia Thompson, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
In the latest trailer for the pair’s upcoming Netflix documentary film, Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only, out Dec. 12, the pair discuss true friendship, family, and wanting their legacies to live forever.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 Nov. 2023
That’s a big challenge, to get something that memorable and get those songs that people will play forever in their set.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Nov. 2023
The Record Like many young bands, Slow Pulp’s rise is forever linked to the pandemic.
—Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 30 Nov. 2023
Many others, people whose names aren’t usually publicly released, have seen their lives almost taken and forever changed by that same violence.
—Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2023
This little 2-in-1 laptop has been one of the top budget picks in our Best Laptops Guide forever.
—Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2023
Automakers are fretting about electric-vehicle growth, higher interest rates are smashing financial plans, permitting for big projects still takes forever and offshore wind is a mess.
—Ed Ballard, WSJ, 27 Nov. 2023
Noun
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
Printed with thermochromic ink, the stamp reveals a second image of the moon when a finger is pressed to it, and a sheet of 16 Forever stamps features a map of the eclipse path.
—Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2017
Forever is gonna start aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas Monday with a concert of lunar proportions.
—Chabeli Herrera, miamiherald, 17 Aug. 2017
Forever stamps are always equal to the current First-Class Mail service 1-ounce price.
—Michael McGough, sacbee, 14 July 2017
On July 12, the centenary of the artist’s birth, the postal service will celebrate the first day of 12 commemorative Forever stamps, each depicting a detail from a Wyeth painting.
—Stephan Salisbury, Philly.com, 26 June 2017
Try your hand at space exploration (Photo: Provided by US Postal Service)
The pane of 16 Forever stamps are available beginning Tuesday at Post Office facilities nationwide and may be pre-ordered for delivery after June 20.
—Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 20 June 2017
Adjective
The British heritage brand promises to treasure its forever trenches, with special cleaning and reproofing treatments and replacement part solutions.
—Kerry McDermott, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2023
And American leadership means ending the forever war in Afghanistan, Mr. Biden said, to applause.
—Grace Segers, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2021
The Arizona Humane Society’s Virtual Matchmaking Adoptions by appointment is available to place pets with their forever families.
—The Republic, The Arizona Republic, 8 Oct. 2022
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.
—Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2022
While many are currently in placements and have plans in place, hundreds are still awaiting the chance at their forever homes.
—Holly V. Hays, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Nov. 2020
There are two sloth pups at the San Antonio Zoo waiting to be given their forever names.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Mar. 2023
Remembering and honoring our forever hero, Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald.
—CBS News, 19 Feb. 2023
The photographer behind this book has been photographing shelter dogs who've been adopted into their forever homes since 2005.
—Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 14 Nov. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'forever.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing forever
Dictionary Entries Near forever
Cite this Entry
“Forever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forever. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
forever
adverb
for·ev·er
fə-ˈrev-ər,
fȯ-
1
: for a limitless time : everlastingly
wants to live forever
2
: always sense 1, constantly
a dog that was forever chasing cars
More from Merriam-Webster on forever
Nglish: Translation of forever for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of forever for Arabic Speakers
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