ever
adverbadjectivedeterminertop 1 000 in film dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈɛvə//
- United States//ˈɛvɚ//
Continuously, constantly, all the time (for the complete duration).
adverb
- 1
archaicAlways, frequently, forever.
It was ever thus.
[…] the Lord Treasurer, who ever secretly feigned himself to be a Moderator and Mollifier of the Catholicks Afflictions […]
Let us ever remember that our conception, our comprehension, our feeling of God must be ever imperfect, yet should be ever advancing. We must not make God: we must find Him and feel Him more and more.
“A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron;[…]. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, and from time to time squinting sideways, as usual, in the ever-renewed expectation that he might catch a glimpse of his stiff, retroussé moustache.
- 2
Continuously, constantly, all the time (for the complete duration).
People struggled to cope with the ever-increasing cost of living.
For what seemed ages piled on ages, I lay there, frozen with the most awful fears, not daring to drag away my hand; yet ever thinking that if I could but stir it one single inch, the horrid spell would be broken.
- 3
At any time.
We've only ever talked on the phone.
I scarcely ever see you anymore!.
If that ever happens, we’re in deep trouble.
This is one of the best movies ever.
- 4
informalAs intensifier following an interrogative word.
Was I ever glad to see you!
Did I ever!
- 5
Indicates experiential aspect, once; has or have (done something) before.
but i ever ran 5mins using the 1400 cells and the type RR 23T motor...
i ever walked from the south to MacRitchie Reservoir.....
Etymology
From Middle English ever, from Old English ǣfre, originally a phrase whose first element undoubtedly consists of Old English ā (“ever, always”) + in (“in”) + an element possibly from feorh (“life, existence”) (dative fēore). Compare Old English ā tō fēore (“ever in life”), Old English feorhlīf (“life”). Sense 5 of the adverb was likely formed by association with never, which also carries the meaning of did not in colloquial Singaporean and Malaysian English. Also, compare Chinese 有 … 過 /有 … 过 (yǒu ... guò / jau⁵ ... gwo³, “has […] before”).
adjective
- 1
Occurring at any time, occurring even but once during a timespan.
This family empathy measure is highly related to ever use of birth control but not to any measure of continuous use.
determiner
- 1
informalShortening of every
"Ever place you look there's houses and more houses."
Queen Anne's lace ever place you look.
A sign at the entrance to the road going up Snake Hollow reads, “Snake Hollow is a wonderful place to be, Ever place you look there is a beautiful green tree. Snake Hollow makes you feel alive and free.” Lets keep it that way, for you and me.
ever · Continuously, constantly, all the time (for the complete duration).
Everest · Ellipsis of Mount Everest. A mountain on the border of Tibet,…Everett · A surname originating as a patronymic.everlasting · Lasting or enduring forever; endless, eternal.