ever
ever
Pronunciation
ever /'ɛvər/
ev-: /'ɛv/
-er: /ər/
Word Form Variations
The word "ever" is an adverb and does not have variations for singular/plural, tense (like verbs), or degrees of comparison (like adjectives, though it can be used to intensify comparatives/superlatives).
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Definition 1: At any time; at all times.
Synonyms: always, perpetually, constantly, incessantly, eternally
Antonyms: never, at no time, rarely (in some contexts)
Definition 2: (Used in questions or negative statements for emphasis) At any point in the past, present, or future.
Synonyms: at all, by any chance, in any case
Antonyms: (Context-dependent, often implied by the absence of "ever" in a positive statement)
Definition 3: (Used with comparatives and superlatives for emphasis) Continuously or increasingly.
Synonyms: increasingly, continuously, more and more
Antonyms: decreasingly, less and less
Definition 4: (Used in "as ever" or "more than ever") As is usual or as has always been the case.
Synonyms: as usual, as always
Antonyms: unusually, atypically
Examples of Use
Books: "The question that has ever haunted humanity is the nature of existence itself." (From Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari, February 2015)
Newspapers: "Is this the best team the city has ever seen?" (Headline from The New York Times, May 2024)
Online Publications: "Artificial intelligence continues to evolve at an ever-increasing pace, raising both hopes and concerns." (Wired, April 2025)
Entertainment (Film): "Did you ever wonder if there's more to life than this?" (Dialogue from the film Soul, December 2020)
Entertainment (Music): "And I will love you ever more, until the stars fall from the sky." (Lyrics from "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton, March 1974)
Entertainment (Television): "Have you ever been to Japan?" (From the TV show Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain, November 2016)
General Public Discourse: "It was the most challenging project I've ever worked on." (Heard in a professional conference, June 2025)
General Public Discourse: "She's ever so kind, always thinking of others." (Common conversational usage, July 2025)
10 Quotes Using Ever
"For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: 'It might have been!'" (John Greenleaf Whittier)
"Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know." (Pema Chödrön)
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." (Attributed to Albert Einstein, though the exact wording varies and its authenticity is debated, it is often quoted as "As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.")
"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." (Socrates, paraphrased from Plato's Apology)
"Hope is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all." (Emily Dickinson)
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." (Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love)
"Be the change that you wish to see in the world." (Often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, though the precise wording is debated, it captures the essence of his philosophy.)
"The unexamined life is not worth living." (Socrates, from Plato's Apology)
"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not frosted." (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring)
Etymology
The word "ever" has a long history, going back to Old English, the earliest form of the English language. Its first known use was before the 12th century (pre-1150s).
The original meaning of "ever" was much like what we understand today: "at any time" or "always."
It likely comes from an Old English word, æfre. While its exact origin isn't completely clear, many experts believe it's a combination of earlier Germanic roots related to the idea of "vital force, life, or eternity." So, you can think of it as carrying the sense of something continuous or happening for a very long time, even forever.
Over time, "ever" also started being used to add emphasis, especially in questions or when talking about something that's always happening or increasing, like in "ever-growing" or "better than ever."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Ever
Ever since: From that time until now.
Ever so: Very, extremely.
For ever and a day: For a very long time; forever.
Happily ever after: A traditional ending for fairy tales, implying a happy life indefinitely.
As ever: As is usual or expected.
Did you ever! (Informal) An expression of surprise or disbelief.
Ever-increasing: Constantly growing or getting larger.
Ever more: Continually increasing in amount or degree.
If ever there was one: Used to emphasize that someone or something is a perfect example of a type.
Once in a blue moon: (Using a synonym for similar effect) Very rarely.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of ever from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
