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adverb American English pronunciation: ever /ˈevər/
  1. 1
    at any time
    1. a.
      [usually in negatives or questions] at any time in the past, present, or future

      If you ever need any help, just let me know.

      Was Ron ever in the army?

      have you ever done something?:

      Have you ever been to Cape Town?

      hardly ever (=almost never):

      It hardly ever rains here in the summer.

      rarely/seldom, if ever (=rarely and probably never):

      The method seldom, if ever, fails.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  everThesaurus entry for this meaning of ever
    2. b.
      used for emphasizing that something has never happened before or should never happen

      Don’t ever do that again.

      It was the only serious question he had ever asked me.

      never ever:

      I will never ever forget what you’ve done for me.

      first/last/only...ever:

      It was her first time ever on an airplane.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  everThesaurus entry for this meaning of ever
    3. c.
      used for emphasis when making comparisons with the past
      more/bigger/better etc. than ever:

      Isabel’s looking lovelier than ever.

      the most/biggest/best etc. ever:

      Thailand’s largest ever trade fair

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  everThesaurus entry for this meaning of ever
  2. 2
    used before a comparative adjective or adverb for showing that something is growing or developing all the time

    The tax laws grow ever more complex.

    Our aim is an ever closer union of nation states.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  everThesaurus entry for this meaning of ever

phrases

This is the American English definition of ever. View British English definition of ever.

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