forever
fuh-REH-vuh
Forever (adv) means For all time; without end. Example: “He promised to love her forever.”
adv
1
For all time; without end.
"He promised to love her forever."
"This moment will stay with me forever."
"Nothing lasts forever, so enjoy the good days while you can."
2
Constantly or repeatedly, often with annoyance.
"She was forever losing her keys."
"He is forever tapping his pen during meetings."
"My little sister is forever asking for sweets."
How to use forever
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWithout ending, or (informally) all the time.
Common pairings
forever and ever
last forever
forever young
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Word forms
- Plural
- forevers
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Etymology
A fusion of the two words "for ever," first written as one word by the late 17th century.
Class of 1600
forever joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
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everlastingly
5ever
ad infinitum
all the time
always
aye
continually
endlessly
eternally
ever
ever after
evermore
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for forever
See all rhymes for forever →Frequently asked questions
What does “forever” mean?
The word “forever” means for all time; without end. In plain terms, without ending, or (informally) all the time.
How do you pronounce “forever”?
“Forever” is pronounced fuh-REH-vuh (/fəˈɹɛvɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “forever” in a sentence?
Here is “forever” used in a sentence: “He promised to love her forever.”
What is another word for “forever”?
Words with a similar meaning to “forever” include 5ever, ad infinitum, all the time, always, aye and continually.
What is the opposite of “forever”?
The opposite of “forever” — its antonyms — are moment, never and nevermore.
What part of speech is “forever”?
“Forever” is an adverb.
Where does the word “forever” come from?
The word “forever” dates back to around 1600. A fusion of the two words "for ever," first written as one word by the late 17th century.
Is “forever” a common word?
“Forever” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between forever and always?
Forever means for all time, with no end — it stresses unending duration. Always means on every occasion or at all times — it stresses consistency. 'I'll love you forever' promises endless duration, while 'I always drink coffee' describes a repeated habit. Forever is about lasting, and always is about every time.
Does forever literally mean endless?
It can, but it is often used as heartfelt exaggeration. Literally, forever means for all time without end. In everyday speech, 'this queue is taking forever' simply means a very long, frustrating wait. Context tells you whether the speaker means true endlessness or is stressing that something feels extremely long.
What is the opposite of forever?
The opposite of forever is a word suggesting a brief or limited span, such as briefly, temporarily, or momentarily. 'Never' also opposes it, in the sense of no time at all versus all time. Where forever means without end, these words point to something short-lived or quickly over.
What is an example of forever in a sentence?
'The mountains will stand forever' uses it literally, meaning for all time. 'They promised to stay friends forever' expresses a lasting bond. 'It felt like the film lasted forever' uses it as exaggeration for a very long time. Each shows forever stressing duration without a clear end.
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