1
: at any time
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.
We need your help now more than ever (before).
Has this ever been done before?
That was my best vacation ever. [=the best vacation I have ever had]
Did it ever occur to you that I might like more myself?
He's a born politician if ever I saw one. [=he is certainly a born politician]
That was the worst movie I ever saw.
I don't ever want to do that again. = (informal) I don't want to ever do that again. = I don't want to do that again, ever!
2
formal
: at all times
He is ever [=always] faithful.
moving ever westward
a guard who is ever watchful = an ever-watchful guard
3
: to a greater degree
Technology in recent years has become ever more sophisticated.
The deadline draws ever closer.
Millions of farmers were forced into ever-deeper debt during the Great Depression.
4
—used after words like where, who, how, and why to make a question more forceful
How ever can I (possibly) thank you?
What ever happened to my former classmates?
Where ever did I put my keys?
"I can't do that." "Why ever not?"
Who ever would want to go there?
—also used in indirect questionsI can't imagine who ever would want to go there!
5
US, informal
—used to give stress to what follows
Wow, was he ever funny! [=he was very funny]
Am I ever embarrassed! [=I am very embarrassed]
Cite this Entry
“Ever.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/ever. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
