forever

1 of 3

adverb

for·​ev·​er fə-ˈre-vər How to pronounce forever (audio)
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

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
There’s a preservation angle, too, since craft councils are forever expanding their lists of endangered practices. Miles Socha, WWD, 2 Oct. 2024 The owner of an ambitious company that does everything from racing horses in Chantilly to running a pro basketball team in Lyon, Parker will forever have his heart in France. Demarco Williams, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
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
The long-running MTV reality series features 20+ singles from around the world, arriving at a destination spot to find their forever person. Rendy Jones, EW.com, 13 July 2024 The people have spoken, and L.A.’s newest Jurassic-era resident has its forever name. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for forever 

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of forever was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near forever

Cite this Entry

“Forever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forever. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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