forever

1 of 3

adverb

for·​ev·​er fə-ˈre-vər 

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

Synonyms

Adverb

• always
• aye
• ay
• e'er
• eternally
• ever
• everlastingly
• evermore
• forevermore
• indelibly
• permanently
• perpetually

Noun

• aeon
• eon
• age
• blue moon
• coon's age
• cycle
• donkey's years [chiefly British]
• eternity
• long
• months
• moon

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

And while Oh has never actually met the designer in his decade-long photography career, the memories and clothes will live on forever in Vogue’s street style archive. —Phil Oh, Vogue, 18 June 2024

Trying to find the right combination of players to fit the quirky ballpark has been a task of Cubs executives forever. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 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

One such pet in particular who has been patiently waiting for his forever home is adorable Brutus, who has been receiving care at AHS for more than 115 days (and counting) since being brought to the shelter in February of this year. —The Arizona Republic, 7 June 2024

Pet adoption Rescue Row will host local animal rescues looking to connect pets with their forever homes. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 28 May 2024

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

Phrases Containing forever

• forever chemical
• forever family
• forever homes
• live-forever

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