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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | æfre ælc 'ever each' |
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ev‧ery S1 W1
[always followed by a singular countable noun]
[always followed by a singular countable noun]1 used to refer to all the people or things in a particular group or all the parts of something : We looked carefully at every car that drove past. Every child will receive a certificate at the end of the course. I enjoyed every minute of the film. I listened carefully to every word he said.
We looked carefully at every car that drove past.Every child will receive a certificate at the end of the course.I enjoyed every minute of the film.I listened carefully to every word he said. every single (=used to emphasize that you mean 'all') He seems to know every single person in the school.
He seems to know every single person in the school. every last drop/bit/scrap etc (=all of something, including even the smallest amount of it) They made us pick up every last scrap of paper.
! Each or every? ➔ see usage note eachThey made us pick up every last scrap of paper.2
a) used to say how often something happens Freda had to stop to rest every hundred metres or so (=each time she had gone 100 metres).
every day/week/month etc (=at least once on each day, in each week etc) They see each other every day. Richard visits his mother every week.
They see each other every day.Richard visits his mother every week.Freda had to stop to rest every hundred metres or so (=each time she had gone 100 metres).b) used to say how much distance there is between the things in a line
4 sometimes, but not often or regularly : I still see her every now and then.
every now and then/again
also every so oftenI still see her every now and then.5 the first, third, fifth etc or the second, fourth, sixth etc : You only need to water plants every other day. I visit my parents every other weekend.
every other
You only need to water plants every other day.I visit my parents every other weekend.6 used to show how common something is : In Britain, one in every three marriages now ends in divorce.
one in every three/two in every hundred etc
HMIn Britain, one in every three marriages now ends in divorce.7 the strongest or greatest possible : We wish you every happiness in your new home.
We wish you every happiness in your new home.9 used to emphasize that something is equally as good, important etc as something else : Taking regular exercise is every bit as important as having a healthy diet.
every bit as good/important etc
Taking regular exercise is every bit as important as having a healthy diet.10 used to mean 'everyone' or 'anyone', especially when you disapprove because there is no limit on who can be included : I didn't want every Tom, Dick and Harry knowing about my private life.
every Tom, Dick, and Harry
spokenI didn't want every Tom, Dick and Harry knowing about my private life.➔ every inch
at inch1 (3)WORD CHOICE:WORD CHOICE: each, everyIt is often correct to use either each or every, but they have slightly different meanings.Use each when you are thinking about the people or things in a group separately, one by one • Each student came forward to receive a medal (emphasizes that they came forward one after another) • Each time you exercise, you get a little stronger.Use every when you are thinking about the whole group of people or things together, with no exceptions • Every student was given a prize (emphasizes that everyone in the group got a prize) • Warm up every time you exercise.!! Do not use each with words such as 'almost', 'nearly', or 'not'. Use every • Almost every window was broken. • Not every child enjoyed the party.!! Do not use each in negative clauses. Use none • None of the answers were correct (NOT Each of the answers were not correct).GRAMMAReach and every are followed by a singular verb • Each item was checked. • Every member wears a uniform.each and every are usually followed by a singular pronoun or determiner (he, she, it, his, himself etc) • Each component can be replaced separately if it breaks. • Every woman must decide for herself.But you can use 'they', 'them', 'their' etc when you do not want to say whether people are male or female • Every child has their own room. ➔ See also each
