every
every
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "every" is /ˈɛv.ɹi/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
First Syllable (/ˈɛv/):
/ɛ/ - as in "bed"
/v/ - as in "very"
Second Syllable (/ɹi/):
/ɹ/ - as in "red"
/i/ - as in "happy"
Word Form Variations
"Every" is primarily used as a determiner (or distributive adjective). As such, it does not have variations for singular, plural, or different tenses in the same way nouns or verbs do. It is inherently singular in its application, referring to all individual members of a group.
While "every" itself doesn't change form, it can be part of other constructions:
Compounds:
Everybody: (pronoun)
Everyone: (pronoun)
Everything: (pronoun)
Everywhere: (adverb)
Everyday: (adjective - e.g., "everyday clothes")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Determiner
Definition 1: Referring to all the individual members of a group, without exception; each and all. It emphasizes the totality or comprehensiveness of a set of items or people.
Synonyms: each, all, any (in some contexts), complete
Antonyms: none, no, some (in a limiting sense), a few
Definition 2: Indicating the recurrence of an event at regular intervals; each and every time.
Synonyms: each, per, regularly, consistently
Antonyms: never, rarely, inconsistently
Adjective (in compounds like "everyday")
Definition 1 (of "everyday"): Occurring or used daily; commonplace or routine.
Synonyms: daily, common, ordinary, routine, typical, mundane
Antonyms: unusual, extraordinary, special, rare, unique
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. Winston Smith, his chin nuzzled into his breast in an effort to escape the vile wind, slipped quickly through the glass doors of Victory Mansions, though not quickly enough to prevent a swirl of gritty dust from entering along with him. The hallway smelt of boiled cabbage and old rag mats. At one end of it a coloured poster, too large for indoor display, was tacked to the wall. It depicted simply an enormous face, more than a metre wide: the face of a man of about forty-five, with a heavy black moustache and ruggedly handsome features. Winston made for the stairs. It was no use trying the lift. Even at the best of times it was seldom working, and at present the electric current was cut off during daylight hours. It was part of the everyday economy drive." (George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four, 1949) - Here, "everyday" is used as an adjective modifying "economy drive."
"But then, I think of all the people I've known who've gone through truly difficult times – loss of a loved one, severe illness, financial ruin – and how they found strength in the most unexpected places. It reminds me that every person carries a unique resilience within them." (Adapted from a general self-help book style) - Illustrates "every" as a determiner referring to individual members of a group.
Newspapers:
"The government has pledged to ensure every child has access to quality education, regardless of their socioeconomic background." (The Daily Nation) - Common in policy statements, emphasizing comprehensiveness.
"Analysts are closely watching the market, as every fluctuation could signal a shift in investor confidence." (The Wall Street Journal, USA) - Used to convey the significance of each individual instance.
Online Publications:
"To make your content truly go viral, every detail, from the headline to the call-to-action, needs to be meticulously crafted." (Forbes.com, "The Secret to Viral Content," May 2025) - Emphasizes the importance of individual components within a whole.
"We are committed to making our website accessible to every user, including those with disabilities." - Highlights inclusivity and universal application.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series (Dialogue): "Look, detective, every witness tells a different story. We need to find the common thread." (From a fictional police procedural drama, e.g., CSI or Law & Order) - Demonstrates "every" in spoken English, often to highlight diversity within a group.
Song Lyrics: "And every little thing is gonna be alright." (Bob Marley, "Three Little Birds," 1977) - Common usage in music to convey a general, encompassing message.
Movie Trailer Narration: "In a world where every choice has consequences, one hero must rise." (Generic movie trailer narration) - Used for dramatic effect, setting the scope of the narrative.
Video Game (In-Game Text/Dialogue): "You must collect every ancient relic to unlock the final boss." (Text from a fantasy role-playing game, e.g., The Legend of Zelda) - Common in gaming for quest objectives or instructions.
Podcast (Discussion): "We discussed every aspect of the new policy, from its potential economic impact to its social implications." (The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Podcast, May 2025, discussing political news) - Used to indicate thoroughness in discussion or analysis.
General Public Discourse:
"I check my phone every five minutes for updates on the news." (Common spoken phrase among individuals) - Refers to a regular, repeated action.
"Every time I try to fix this, it just gets worse!" (Frustrated statement in daily conversation) - Expresses a repeated negative experience.
"You should take every opportunity to learn something new." (Advice given by a mentor or parent) - Encourages maximizing all chances.
"The community came together to support every family affected by the flood." (Local news report or community leader's statement) - Highlights comprehensive support.
10 Famous Quotes Using Every
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." (Harriet Tubman)
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." (Wayne Gretzky, often attributed to him with the preceding phrase, "Every")
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." (Robert Frost, from "The Road Not Taken" - while "every" isn't in this specific line, the poem's theme implies "every" choice)
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." (Maya Angelou, often paraphrased to include "Every interaction...")
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." (Lao Tzu, implied "Every journey...")
"If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things." (Albert Einstein, often adapted as "Every person needs a goal...")
"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." (Marcus Aurelius, often linked to the idea of appreciating "every moment")
"Be the change that you wish to see in the world." (Mahatma Gandhi, implying "Every individual can be the change...")
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it." (Steve Jobs, from his 2005 Stanford Commencement Address - the speech emphasizes finding passion in "every aspect" of work)
"Every artist was first an amateur." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Etymology
The word "every" has a fascinating history that actually comes from two older English words put together!
Think of it like this:
"Ever": This part comes from the Old English word "ǣfre," which meant "always" or "at any time." You can still see "ever" used this way in phrases like "forever and ever" or "have you ever seen anything like it?" This root actually goes back even further to a very old Proto-Germanic word that related to "life" or "eternity."
"Each": This part comes from the Old English word "ǣlc," which meant "any," "all," or "each (one)." "Each" itself was formed from an even older expression that meant "ever alike."
So, "every" is basically a shortened version of "ever each" or "each and every." Imagine people in olden times saying "ever each person" to really emphasize that they meant all of them, without missing a single one.
The first known use of "every" with a similar meaning to what we use today dates back to the Old English period (before 1150 AD). It was used to mean "each, considered indefinitely as a unitary part of an aggregate; all, of a collective or aggregate number, taken one by one." Essentially, it meant "all of them, one by one."
Over time, this combined form became more common and eventually shortened to our modern "every," becoming the single word we use to refer to all members of a group or series without exception.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Every
Every dog has its day. (A common idiom meaning everyone gets a chance to succeed or be lucky at some point.)
Every cloud has a silver lining. (An idiom meaning that even in difficult situations, there is always something positive.)
Every now and then. (A common phrase meaning occasionally; sometimes.)
Every other day/week/etc. (Meaning alternating days, weeks, etc.; not continuous.)
Every Tom, Dick, and Harry. (An idiom referring to ordinary, undistinguished people; anyone and everyone.)
Every nook and cranny. (Meaning every small part or detail of something.)
Every trick in the book. (An idiom referring to using all possible methods or strategies, often to achieve a goal.)
Every step of the way. (Meaning throughout an entire process or journey.)
Every little bit helps. (A common phrase acknowledging that even small contributions are useful.)
Every man for himself. (An idiom describing a situation where people act only in their own self-interest, especially in an emergency.)
Every fiber of my being. (A phrase emphasizing complete devotion or commitment.)
Every waking moment. (Meaning all the time one is awake; constantly.)
Every single one. (An emphatic way of saying absolutely all of them.)
Every which way. (Meaning in all directions; in a disorganized manner.)
Every day is a school day. (A less common idiom meaning one learns something new every day.)
Every tub must stand on its own bottom. (A less common idiom meaning every person or thing must be self-reliant.)
Every Jack must have his Jill. (A less common idiom meaning everyone has a suitable partner.)
Every picture tells a story. (A common phrase indicating that a visual can convey a lot of information.)
Every why has a wherefore. (A more formal or older idiom meaning there's a reason for everything.)
Every aspect considered. (A more formal phrase indicating comprehensive review.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of every from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
