ever
[adverb]
Synonyms:
- at any time, at all, at any period, at any point, by any chance, in any case, on any occasion
- always, at all times, constantly, continually, evermore, for ever, perpetually

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Related Words: consistently, regularly, usually, annoyingly, plaguey, grievously, mortally, consummately

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

ev‧er S1 W1 /ˈevə $ ˈevər/ adverb
[Language: Old English; Origin: æfre]

1. a word meaning at any time; used mostly in questions, negatives, comparisons, or sentences with ‘if’:
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.

3. hardly ever not very often:
We hardly ever go out.

4. never ever spoken never:
You never ever offer to help!

5. for ever for all time:
Nothing lasts for ever.

6. as ever as always happens:
As ever, Joe was late.

7. ever since continuously since:
My back has been bad ever since I fell and hurt it two years ago.

8. ever after for all time after something:
I suppose they’ll get married and live happily ever after.

9. hotter/colder/better etc than ever even hotter etc than before:
Last night’s show was better than ever.

10. as 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!

11. ever so cold/wet/nice etc British English spoken very cold, wet etc:
The assistant was ever so helpful.
Thanks ever so much.

12. ever such a British English used to emphasize what someone or something is like:
She’s ever such a nice girl.

13. ever-increasing/ever-present etc increasing, present etc all the time:
the ever-increasing problem of drugs in the inner cities

14. Yours ever/Ever yours informal used at the end of a letter above the signature

15. if 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.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

ever
adverb
1.
BAD: He has ever been my hero.
GOOD: He has always been my hero.

Usage Note:
ever = at any time: 'Have you ever been to Paris?'
always = from the beginning until now; every time: 'He's always been very generous.' 'She always arrives late.'

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2.
BAD: She was the most unpleasant person that I had ever met before.
GOOD: She was the most unpleasant person that I had ever met.

Usage Note:
ever (used with a verb in the present perfect or past perfect tense) = at any time before now/then: 'It's one of nicest houses I've ever seen.'

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3.
BAD: I'm surprised that nobody ever has thought of it.
GOOD: I'm surprised that nobody has ever thought of it.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

ever
ˈevə
See: forever and ever , hardly ever or scarcely ever

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲