| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | æfre |
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ev‧er S1 W1

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.
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.
Ever optimistic, I decided to take the exam again.8 for all time after something :
I suppose they'll get married and live happily ever after.
ever after
I suppose they'll get married and live happily ever after.9 even hotter etc than before :
Last night's show was better than ever.
hotter/colder/better etc than ever
Last night's show was better than ever.10 as friendly etc as someone or something usually is :
George was as miserable as ever.
The food was as bad as ever!
as friendly/cheerful/miserable etc as ever
George was as miserable as ever.
The food was as bad as ever!11 very cold, wet etc :
The assistant was ever so helpful.
Thanks ever so much.
ever so cold/wet/nice etc
British English spoken
The assistant was ever so helpful.
Thanks ever so much.12 used to emphasize what someone or something is like :
She's ever such a nice girl.
ever such a
British English
She's ever such a nice girl.13 increasing, present etc all the time :
the ever-increasing problem of drugs in the inner cities
ever-increasing/ever-present etc
the ever-increasing problem of drugs in the inner cities15 used to say that someone or something is a typical example of something :
He's a natural comedian if ever there was one.
if ever there was one
informal
He's a natural comedian if ever there was one.