everev‧er /ˈevə $ ˈevər/ ●●● S1 W1 adverb 
Nothing ever seems to upset him. Have you ever been to Paris? I don’t think I’ve ever been here before. If you’re ever in Seattle, come and see me.2 formal always: Ever optimistic, I decided to take the exam again.3hardly ever not very often: We hardly ever go out.4never ever spoken never: You never ever offer to help!5for ever for all time: Nothing lasts for ever.6as ever as always happens: As ever, Joe was late.7ever since continuously since: My back has been bad ever since I fell and hurt it two years ago.8ever after for all time after something: I suppose they’ll get married and live happily ever after.9hotter/colder/better etc than ever even hotter etc than before: Last night’s show was better than ever.10as friendly/cheerful/miserable etc as ever as friendly etc as someone or something usually is: George was as miserable as ever. The food was as bad as ever!11ever so cold/wet/nice etc British English spoken very cold, wet etc: The assistant was ever so helpful. Thanks ever so much.12ever such a British English used to emphasize what someone or something is like: She’s ever such a nice girl.13ever-increasing/ever-present etc increasing, present etc all the time: the ever-increasing problem of drugs in the inner cities14Yours ever/Ever yours informal used at the end of a letter above the signature15if ever there was one informal used to say that someone or something is a typical example of something: He’s a natural comedian if ever there was one.
WORD ORIGINever
Origin:
Old English æfreEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Ever optimistic, Jen gave him another chance.
- Have you ever been on a ship like this before?
- Have you ever bought any of their products?
- I don't remember ever seeing him before.
- I don't think I'll ever get used to that feeling of excitement before a show.
- If you're ever in Wilmington, give us a call.
- Nothing ever makes Ted mad.
- Stan, ever the leader, made all the decisions.
- That's the biggest fish I've ever seen.
- That was the biggest mistake I ever made.
- When he left, Bartlett didn't know if he'd ever see Alaska again.
- Within a few years of the two World Wars, the standard of living of Western European countries was higher than ever before.
- For many young people this is the most difficult problem that they have ever had to deal with in their lives.
- From a place on the shady side I watched the most forlorn spectacle I have ever seen.
- If you have ever read some of the match reports from games in the 60's you would appreciate his skill.
- In spite of a longer work day, employees were producing more than ever before.
- Scarcely anyone ever went near that closet.
- The sound of the door to the Robemaker's Workshops closing, was one of the worst sounds Nuadu had ever heard.
- There is no evidence that the rifling and thievery of the files ever occurred.
Longman Language Activatorunable to escape
· Have you ever bought any of their products?· When he left, Bartlett didn't know if he'd ever see Alaska again.· I don't think I'll ever get used to that feeling of excitement before a show.ever ... (before) · Have you ever been on a ship like this before?best/biggest/worst ever etc · That was the biggest mistake I ever made.more/better/worse etc than ever (before) · Within a few years of the two World Wars, the standard of living of Western European countries was higher than ever before.
used especially in formal questions and statements: · "Of course, no one should have to suffer at any time," said the general gruffly, "but things are different in times of war."· Have you at any time met with the defendant?at any time in history/in our existence etc: · There are more single parents today than at any time in history.
at any time in the past, since humans have kept records of events: · Robinson has won more matches than any coach in history.· His arrest ended the longest manhunt in history.· Spielberg then went on to direct 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind', which became one of the highest earning films in history.· It was the first attempt in history to assemble representatives of all the major regions.
at any time during your life: · I've never owned a gun in my life.· Susan felt she had never worked so hard in her life as she did that day.· He knew that this was one of the saddest things he'd ever have to do in his life.· For the first time in his life, Yossarian prayed.
at any time in history or in someone's life: · Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" is one of the best-selling rock albums of all time.· My favourite joke of all time is the one about the donkey who goes to the doctor and says ...· a list of the 100 Most Influential Women of All Time
when something will always happen or always continue · I'll always remember the day we first met.· She said she would always love him.
if something lasts or continues forever , it remains or continues for all future time: · I'd like to stay here forever.· The memory of that awful day is forever etched in my mind.
a word meaning forever, for a very long time, or for the rest of your life - use this especially to talk about changes that you expect to last forever: · The accident has left Hanson permanently disabled.· Thirteen students were permanently expelled from the school.
for all future time - used especially by children or in children's stories when someone feels extremely happy: · It was a beautiful day, and Ellie wanted it to go on for ever and ever.
if someone leaves, comes back etc for good , they leave or come back permanently: · The injury may keep him out of football for good.· I'd like to stay in Colorado for good.
spoken informal if you have something for keeps , you have it forever: · He's given it to me for keeps.
formal forever, used especially when saying that something will last or be remembered forever because it is very good, special etc: · The actions of those who died in the Great War will be remembered for all time.
for the rest of your life: · There's no such thing as a job for life any more.scarred/maimed/crippled/blind etc for life: · The abuse left him scarred for life.
for the rest of your life - used especially in stories, plays etc: · You will regret this until your dying day.· I will remember your kindness to my dying day.
place not at all interesting or exciting to live in: · This is such a boring town - there's nothing to do in the evenings.· It's so boring here. I wish we lived in L.A.
a town that is dead is boring because nothing interesting happens, and there is nothing interesting to do: · In summer we get a few visitors, but most of the time this place is dead.· It's absolutely dead here when all the students go away for the summer vacation.
spoken if you say nothing ever happens in a place, you mean nothing interesting or exciting happens there: · Nothing ever happens around here. Why do you like it so much?
a dreary place is one where there is nothing attractive or cheerful to see: · I was living in a dreary apartment in a run-down part of town.· Laurie gazed out over a dreary landscape of factories and parking lots.
buildings and places that are drab are not colourful or interesting to look at: · When I came to Manchester from Brazil everything seemed so drab and colourless.· You enter the drab office building half-expecting it to be abandoned.
: featureless landscape/plain/coast etc a large area of land that has no interesting or unusual features: · It was flat, featureless coastline.· In the middle of these otherwise featureless plains is a striking range of mountains.
to make someone feel nervous not once, or not at any time: · "Have you ever been to Paris?" "No, never."· Ali had never seen snow before.· The view was spectacular - I'll never forget it.· He walks right past me and never even says "hello".never do/say etc something: · (=used to tell someone not to do something) Never go there alone at night.never have I/did he etc (=used for emphasis) formal: · Never in my whole life have I felt so angry.
not at any time: · I haven't ever had champagne before.· Don't ever do that again.· "I won't leave you," she said, "not ever."
spoken say this when you want to emphasize strongly that something has never happened or will never happen: · You must never ever tell anyone what you heard tonight.· I'll never, never stop loving you.
spoken informal say this when you think it is completely impossible that something could ever happen: · You won't get Kieran to agree - not in a million years!
say this when you are surprised or annoyed because someone never did something, although they often had the opportunity to do it: · After all the help I've given her, she's never said thank you - not once!· My father hasn't once come here to see us, even though he lives quite nearby.not once have I/did they etc (=used for emphasis) formal: · Not once did she think of giving up, despite all the problems involved.
if you say you never for a moment thought something, you are emphasizing that this idea never came into your mind: · I always knew that I would be famous one day. I never for a moment doubted it at all.· "Did you ever suspect that he was cheating on you?" "No, not for one moment."never for a moment have I/did they etc (=used for emphasis) formal: · Never for a moment did it enter my mind that something was wrong.
formal never in the past: at no time have I/did they etc: · At no time did anyone suggest that the drug was dangerous.· Despite what I'd been told about the local people's attitude to strangers, at no time did I encounter any rudeness.
you say that someone or something has never been known to do something when you mean that this has never happened before, so it is strange if it happens now: · We were very worried -- Peter had never been known to disappear from home before.· Killer whales have never been known to attack humans without the provocation of a bullet or harpoon.
rarely/not often not at all often. Seldom is more formal than rarely and is used especially in written English: · The Queen rarely speaks to journalists.· Discipline is rarely a problem in this school.· They're a very nice young couple, although I very seldom see them.rarely does/has somebody: · Very rarely do we have a complaint from any of our customers.· Seldom have I seen such a miraculous recovery in one of my patients.rarely/seldom, if ever: · Anti-government demonstrations do occur, but they are seldom, if ever, reported in the press.
· I don't often see my grandchildren.· Sometimes, but not very often, Pippa persuaded her father to lend her his car.· Tina didn't get to work until ten o'clock this morning, which is unusual because she's not often late.it's not often (that) · Of course I'm going to take the job, it's not often that you get a chance like this.
almost never: · My grandmother hardly ever goes out of the house.· She's hardly ever ill.· We scarcely ever walk through the town without meeting someone we know.· There used to be a lot of disputes over land boundaries but nowadays such problems scarcely ever arise.
informal extremely rarely: · I used to spend a lot of time in London, but now I only go there once in a blue moon.· Once in a blue moon Eric will offer to help with the dishes, but usually he doesn't do any housework at all.
not having a lot of decoration or things added all the time from a time, date, year or event in the past until now: · I've had this car since 1992.· She hasn't had a night out since she had the baby.· The turkey must be done by now - it's been in the oven since 11 o'clock.· I saw her early this morning, but I haven't seen her since.since when (=how long?): · Since when have you had a computer?since doing something: · Since leaving the army, he's spent most of his time looking for a job.since then: · He arrived in Hollywood back in 1952. Since then he's appeared in over 100 movies.
since a time, date, or event a long time ago: · I've been getting these pains in my back ever since I fell down the stairs.· He's been acting different ever since his arrest.· Joan had been an early riser ever since she was a child.· Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to be a dancer.· Matt moved to San Francisco in 1984 to go to medical school, and he's been there ever since.ever since then: · I started an exercise program five years ago, and ever since then I've felt a lot better.
during the whole of a period of time until now: · Omar's been studying English for two years now.· We've been waiting here for over two hours!· Daniel's been complaining of a stomach ache for a couple of days.for a while (=for a fairly long time): · I hadn't seen Tim for a while, and I was surprised by how much weight he'd gained.
continuously after a particular time in the past: · From the first time we met, I knew we would be good friends.right from: · Timmy Connell has been a problem in class right from the beginning of term.from then on (=from a time already mentioned): · We had a big fight that fall, and from then on he never treated me the same.
continuously after an exact time or important event in the past: · Benson became chairman of the company on October 12th, and starting from that day things have steadily improved.
in the same way as things usually happen in the same way as things usually happen: · Sam was in a bad mood as usual.· There will be discounts available for students as usual.· As usual, there was far too much food.
British /like always American informal spoken use this to say that something is not surprising because it is what almost always happens: · Jim was the first to arrive, as always.· As ever, her work has been excellent this term.· When he arrived he stank of whiskey and tobacco, like always.
British spoken say this when you are annoyed because something bad that usually happens has just happened again: · I'm in trouble at work, as per usual.· She was three hours late as per usual.· He said he'd phone, but he won't. As per usual!
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Have you ever been to (=have you ever travelled to) Japan? So she married the prince, and they lived happily ever after (=used at the end of children’s stories to say that someone was happy for the rest of their life). She lives in Spain, so we hardly ever (=almost never) see her. Just take it. No one will ever know. He scarcely ever left the region. He leaned forward ever so slightly.
Have you ever been to (=have you ever travelled to) Japan? So she married the prince, and they lived happily ever after (=used at the end of children’s stories to say that someone was happy for the rest of their life). She lives in Spain, so we hardly ever (=almost never) see her. Just take it. No one will ever know. (=the best, greatest etc who has been alive at any time) He’s probably the best journalist who ever lived.
He’s probably the best journalist who ever lived. (=used for emphasizing how bad something is)· He was the most arrogant man I'd ever had the misfortune of meeting.
(=used to emphasize what you are saying) I’ll never ever forgive him for leaving me.
I’ll never ever forgive him for leaving me. He scarcely ever left the region. (=all the time since) We’ve been friends ever since we were at school together. She’s been terrified of the sound of aircraft ever since the crash. We came to the UK in 1974 and have lived here ever since.
We’ve been friends ever since we were at school together. She’s been terrified of the sound of aircraft ever since the crash. We came to the UK in 1974 and have lived here ever since. He leaned forward ever so slightly. British English They’re being ever so quiet.
They’re being ever so quiet. (=used for emphasis when you are surprised, angry etc) Why on earth didn’t you ask me to help? ‘I don’t want us to be seen together.’ ‘Why ever not?’
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSVERB Why on earth didn’t you ask me to help? ‘I don’t want us to be seen together.’ ‘Why ever not?’· But will these little companies ever become big?· With computers becoming ever more common in the home, consumers are flocking to tax-preparation software.· Only once or twice did he ever become aroused enough for them to make love.· With so little money between us, I often worried about what would happen if he ever became ill.· People seemed to become ever more critical even vicious.· One by one, they drifted into slumber, becoming ever more difficult to rouse.· In the age of mass communications, politics is becoming ever more marginal.
· And the biggest - the biggest godsend that ever came to Bass's in the maltings was the endless belt.· The position, which still pertains, is as close as the Church has ever come to legitimizing family planning.· Until now, he'd given up hope that such a burgeoning time would ever come again.· How did we ever come to perceive body and mind as separate, nature as dead resource, and place as inconsequential?· In life, the right man to love hardly ever comes at the right time for loving.· Who has ever come to me hungry and unfed?· It was like it fell into the greatest silence I have ever come across.· It was the first time I had ever come out and said anything like that when the children could hear me.
· She had hoped that after so long here nomole would ever feel the need to ask her.· Nothing has ever felt so warm.· I don't think I'd ever felt so taxed in my career.· Story: Ever feel that your life is too busy to be time-managed by one person?· Had she ever felt so brittle and so cold?· Do you ever feel like you missed out on things?· Have you ever felt as though you don't belong in either place?· Afterwards I continue to argue for rugby, feeling ever more like the devil's advocate.
· I never thought I would ever find a woman who could mean as much.· They could not find lasting zest and pleasure in their success and eventually had given up hope of ever finding it.· Many people spend years detecting without ever finding Roman coins.· Nobody, not even Mr Bumble, could ever find him there!· I ever find any of them dead in bed?· And no nomes will ever find you again.· I have ever found your plain things the knottiest of all.
· Nobody's mother ever got it right.· Probably because no one ever got around to starting one.· Will the magazine ever get put together in time?· Before I could ever get to my life, conscience was arranging it all like a still life or tableau.· It loves jobs that no human would ever get round to -- or find time to finish.· Did you ever get one stuck in you?· He'd never ever got used to Rachel's being pregnant.· DecentralizedHow can any large-scale project ever get anything done with only ten people?
· Nothing like this had ever happened to her before, and she should have been afraid.· It was Pete who said it was the best thing that ever happened.· That kiss had been so bewildering, so utterly unlike anything that had ever happened to her in all her twenty-four years.· If anything ever happened to her, she was all set.· Thankfully, nothing like this has ever happened since.· We could say our lives are boring, that nothing ever happens.· But Dot had thought it wouldn't ever happen to their baby.· A disclaimer at the start claims that none of the events depicted ever happened.
· Have you ever heard Michael Wilson speak?· Have you ever heard of the singer Shirley Horn?· We are not aware that Macmillan had ever heard of Bethune-Baker.· Later, I forgot or thought I forgot I ever heard such a thing.· Have you ever heard of such an audit system?· Even if you had the greatest of talents, no one would ever hear of you.· The program re-created various historical events complete with conversations no one had ever heard.
· Mr. McMaster How will we ever know if those claims are not assessed?· I wired it up with lipstick cameras, and nobody ever knew what hit them.· I forgot everything I ever knew about standing up for myself and, without argument, I slunk meekly into the night.· Who ever knows? 25 Evidence Reminds me of those three monkeys.· It was the only life we'd ever known.· She was the sweetest person you ever knew.· We won't ever know what might have been if the two had met.· I believe a baby is born knowing all she will ever know, all that can be known.
· You have to understand that no one but my family had ever lived at Low Birk Hatt before I sold it.· On a sunny Friday afternoon, the Open bid farewell to Nicklaus, to date the greatest golfer who has ever lived.· The actual animals that have ever lived on Earth are a tiny subset of the theoretical animals that could exist.· He has lived ever since on the ThaiBurma border, seeking to support and revive the democracy movement in his country.· But it was the first time they had ever lived privately together.· How would I ever live this down?· Taking souvenir pictures neither of them would ever live to see.· So for every man who has ever lived, in this Universe there shines a star.
· It was the first I had ever made, would you believe, and it was delicious!· It is the greatest mistake I have ever made.· It was the first time the family had ever made a trip together.· Some of them are returned to normal prisons before they ever make the intensive group therapy regime.· Well, no film was ever made that way.· It was the best decision I have ever made in my life.· What treaty that the white man ever made with us have they kept?
· Sandoz fell asleep faster than anyone he'd ever met.· If two men ever met, there would be an almighty, violent battle.· She is the least self-conscious creature I have ever met.· He was an extraordinary man, one of the most civilized and cultured men I have ever met.· If you ever meet a Capricorn who truly this description, let me know.· He was the grimmest man I ever met, in formation.· He knew now how fully, as time had passed, he despaired he would ever meet it.· He was an original, Mungo decided; one of the few he had ever met.
· Have you ever seen the effect of that?· It was the first movie we ever saw alone without our parents.· I had only ever seen them in a tank or on a slab and this was totally different.· The Plot John Henry was born with a hammer in his hand and was the strongest baby anybody had ever seen.· Thus would be decided whether or not C.N.L. should ever see the documents.· Math books, unlike any you have ever seen before, flip open.· Honor thought she was the most exquisite girl she had ever seen and her heart sank lower than ever.
· Never in my wildest dreams had I ever thought I would even go to Hollywood, let alone work with people like him.· Who had ever thought the rice barrel could become an engineer?· How can he ever think tiny people are real people with real thoughts?· He would look at her and wonder why he had ever thought there was any purpose in daily life.· From that day to this Adam had never set eyes on Mary Gage and had hardly ever thought of her.· Who ever thinks about a first baby that way?· Have you ever thought, ruefully, that far from raising an obedient child you've become an obedient parent?· Not many people I know ever think of the Panhandle as a Florida golf destination.
· Everything I've loved, everything I've ever wanted in life you've taken away from me, so you have Natasha.· But then I asked whether anyone had ever wanted to.· That's all a soldier ever wants, isn't it, to know what he's dying for?· These folks, Raymond, are the nicest folks you could ever want to meet.· No-one has ever wanted to be sent to Coventry.· The thing is, no one ever wants another one.· Everything that she had ever wanted was coming true.· All Bud ever wanted to do was to be loved and be respected.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► as ever► ever after► ever so cold/wet/nice etc► ever-increasing/ever-present etc► Yours ever/Ever yours► for everPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1a word meaning at any time; used mostly in questions, negatives, comparisons, or sentences with ‘if’: - Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to be a dancer.
- Ever since the accident, Martha's been too afraid to drive.
- He's been acting different ever since his arrest.
- I've been getting these pains in my back ever since I fell down the stairs.
- I started an exercise program five years ago, and ever since then I've felt a lot better.
- Joan had been an early riser ever since she was a child.
- Matt moved to San Francisco in 1984 to go to medical school, and he's been there ever since.
- We've been friends ever since we met in school.
- We bought this house in 1986 and have lived here ever since.
- Another interview revealed that ever since childhood she had been very suspicious of strangers.
- Federal authorities have tried to put together a criminal case against Zimmermann ever since.
- He's had to be kept apart from the hamsters ever since one bit him on the nose.
- Instantly we fell in love with the area and have been returning regularly ever since.
- It has been on my conscience ever since.
- Marsha says Michael has been difficult to control ever since she divorced his father in 1979.
- She behaved in this way ever since the first attempt...
- And that incentive was increased when they got personal recognition and satisfaction from doing it better than ever before.
- He says the new films are better than ever.
- Organised by the Alton and District Arts Council, the week promises to be better than ever.
- The moviemaking machine that Walt Disney created sixty years ago is working better than ever today.
- The National Health Service is now better than ever.
- The opportunities now are better than ever.
- This year's attractions are bigger and better than ever, with events running from Tuesday to Saturday.
- Watermen talked about their catches so far this year, which they said have been better than ever.
- The lads were as cheerful as ever but guarded, like the possessors of unwelcome news.
- He seemed ever such a young man to me.
- His Dad's a doctor, you know, they live up on Quickedge, in ever such a nice house.
- Pink curtains we had there and ever such a nice tea service.
- Some one once gave me ever such a lovely little china cup when you was born, with pictures on it.
- A crazy notion if ever there was one.
- An obstinate fellow, if ever there was one, and a very elusive one too.
- Exercise is the original fountain of youth if ever there was one.
- He is a product of the system if ever there was one.
- Here is a time warp if ever there was one.
- My favourite Caithness loch is Heilen, near Castletown; an expert's loch if ever there was one.
- My son, however, is a sports fanatic if ever there was one.
- Brent hardly ever calls me anymore.
- We hardly ever go out to eat.
- From that day on Bill and Kath have hardly ever thrown anything away.
- I hardly ever write letters any more.
- Many people think museums make lots of money on big shows, but in truth, they hardly ever break even.
- She gave cheap advice and charge mini-mum fees, hardly ever collecting on past due accounts.
- The charm of it hardly ever fails.
- Theo's occasional complaints, hardly ever voiced directly, were usually muted and so we fail to take note of them.
- Universities have hardly ever been held in lower esteem.
- You know kids who always do their schoolwork and kids who hardly ever do their class and homework assignments.
- I've never ever heard Nina swear.
- I am so glad we have never ever dated and never ever will!
- It has been 3 years in which my family were put through things they never ever deserved to be put through.
- Nowadays, I never ever feed tubifex to my fish.
- Once more, never ever laugh at a violent man.
- Perhaps you never ever heard, so wrapped up were you in your own dreams and ambitions.
- The camera will never ever be profitable to produce.
- And I want John to love me forever and ever.
- Bless the underground stream that gave the town its water, and pray that it flows forever and ever.
- He asked you for life, and you gave it to him - length of days forever and ever.
- Praised be the Lord who is to be praised forever and ever.
- She wanted it to go on forever and ever!
- The only way out is to be Dennis's lover forever and ever.
- To him be glory forever and ever.
Nothing ever seems to upset him. Have you ever been to Paris? I don’t think I’ve ever been here before. If you’re ever in Seattle, come and see me.2 formal always: Ever optimistic, I decided to take the exam again.3hardly ever not very often: We hardly ever go out.4never ever spoken never: You never ever offer to help!5for ever for all time: Nothing lasts for ever.6as ever as always happens: As ever, Joe was late.7ever since continuously since: My back has been bad ever since I fell and hurt it two years ago.8ever after for all time after something: I suppose they’ll get married and live happily ever after.9hotter/colder/better etc than ever even hotter etc than before: Last night’s show was better than ever.10as friendly/cheerful/miserable etc as ever as friendly etc as someone or something usually is: George was as miserable as ever. The food was as bad as ever!11ever so cold/wet/nice etc British English spoken very cold, wet etc: The assistant was ever so helpful. Thanks ever so much.12ever such a British English used to emphasize what someone or something is like: She’s ever such a nice girl.13ever-increasing/ever-present etc increasing, present etc all the time: the ever-increasing problem of drugs in the inner cities14Yours ever/Ever yours informal used at the end of a letter above the signature15if ever there was one informal used to say that someone or something is a typical example of something: He’s a natural comedian if ever there was one.