ever
EH-vuh
Ever (adv) means At any time. Example: “Have you ever been to Japan?”
adv
1
At any time.
"Have you ever been to Japan?"
"Nothing like this had ever happened before."
"If you ever need help with your homework, just give me a call."
2
Always; continuously.
"They lived happily ever after."
"The river flows ever onward, carrying leaves down to the sea."
"She remained ever hopeful, even when the journey grew long."
3
Used after a question word for emphasis.
"Why ever would you say that?"
"How ever did you manage to fix the engine by yourself?"
"What ever made you think the museum would be open today?"
How to use ever
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAt any point in time, or always.
Common pairings
ever since
best ever
hardly ever
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Have you _____ been to Japan?
Etymology
From Old English ǣfre, probably built from ā ("always") plus an element related to feorh ("life").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for ever
See all rhymes for ever →Frequently asked questions
What does “ever” mean?
The word “ever” means at any time. In plain terms, at any point in time, or always.
How do you pronounce “ever”?
“Ever” is pronounced EH-vuh (/ˈɛvɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ever” in a sentence?
Here is “ever” used in a sentence: “Have you ever been to Japan?”
What is another word for “ever”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ever” include the dickens.
What is the opposite of “ever”?
The opposite of “ever” — its antonyms — is never.
What part of speech is “ever”?
“Ever” is an adverb.
Where does the word “ever” come from?
The word “ever” comes from Old English. From Old English ǣfre, probably built from ā ("always") plus an element related to feorh ("life").
Is “ever” a common word?
“Ever” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'ever' and 'never'?
'Ever' means at any time, while 'never' means at no time — they are opposites. 'Ever' usually appears in questions and negatives ('Have you ever been?'), whereas 'never' makes a statement negative on its own ('I have never been'). You rarely use both together in the same clause.
What is an example of 'ever' in a sentence?
'Have you ever visited Japan?' and 'It was the best meal I've ever had' are typical examples. 'Ever' often appears in questions, after superlatives, and in phrases like 'hardly ever' or 'ever since.' It emphasises any point across the whole span of time.
Should you use 'ever' or 'never' after a negative?
After a negative word you normally use 'ever,' not 'never,' to avoid a double negative. Say 'I don't ever want to go back,' not 'I don't never want to.' 'Never' already carries the negative meaning, so pairing it with another negative is considered incorrect in standard English.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing ever in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
But he never thought at 71 he'd suddenly be more in demand than ever.
From
People · Jul 24, 2026
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