ever

adverb

ev·​er ˈe-vər How to pronounce ever (audio)
1
: always
ever striving to improve
the ever-increasing population
2
a
: at any time
more than ever before
b
: in any way
how can I ever thank you
3
used as an intensive
looks ever so angry
am I ever happy to see you
Phrases
ever and anon
: from time to time : occasionally

Examples of ever in a Sentence

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. Has this ever been done before? Did it ever occur to you that I might like more myself? That was the worst movie I ever saw. Technology in recent years has become ever more sophisticated. The deadline draws ever closer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Only about 50 such devices have ever been implanted in the United States. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2025 Or, perhaps, since San Diego never had a team, this is the first time some fans ever really noticed MLS. Jay Posner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025 But consensus is that the Gascón scandal — in which the first out trans actress ever nominated for an Oscar was revealed to have posted hateful tweets against numerous minority groups — did have an effect on the race. Nate Jones, Vulture, 22 Feb. 2025 Just a couple of years ago, during LVMH watch week, Antoine Pin, the former Bulgari managing director of watches now CEO at TAG Heuer, was pressed on whether or not the company would ever release a Bulgari for men. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ever

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English ǣfre

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ever was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Ever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ever. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

ever

adverb
ev·​er ˈev-ər How to pronounce ever (audio)
1
: at all times : always
ever faithful
2
a
: at any time
has this ever been done before
b
: in any way : at all
how can I ever thank you
3
used especially with so to give more force to a word
thank you ever so much

More from Merriam-Webster on ever

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