forever

1 of 3

adverb

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

forever

2 of 3

noun

: a seemingly interminable time : excessively long

It took her forever to find the answer.

forever

3 of 3

adjective

: 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

especially : of, relating to, or being a lifelong relationship

The song fantasizes of a forever romance …

—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

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

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

Synonyms

Adverb

• always
• aye
• ay
• e'er
• eternally
• ever
• everlastingly
• evermore
• forevermore
• indelibly
• permanently
• perpetually

Noun

• aeon
• eon
• age
• blue moon
• coon's age
• cycle
• donkey's years [chiefly British]
• eternity
• long
• months
• moon

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

Adverb

Since finding her forever home in Buckingham Palace, Orla has tagged along to several family events, from joining Kate to watch Prince William play in the Royal Charity Polo Cup in July 2022 and making a cameo in Princess Charlotte's 8th birthday portraits. —Charmaine Patterson, People.com, 24 May 2025

Dog Overlooked At Adoption Event Gets Happy Ending By Alice Gibbs Senior Life and Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 A dog that was recently overlooked at a Kentucky adoption event has found her forever home. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025

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

Adjective

Helena Simon's handcrafted blooms transform fleeting garden beauties into forever treasures. —Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025

But one strategy that can help, according to Smith-Osei, is mentally reframing your current role as a temporary stepping stone to something better, rather than a forever situation. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 5 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1741, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1879, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing forever

• forever chemical
• forever family
• forever homes
• live-forever

Rhymes for forever

• endeavor
• endeavour
• however
• soever
• whatever
• whenever
• wherever
• whichever
• whoever
• whomever
• bever
• clever

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