ever
$ \mathrm{ever} /ˈevə(r)/
1 used in negative sentences and questions, or sentences with if to mean ‘at any time’
Nothing ever happens here.
Don't you ever get tired?
If you're ever in Miami, come and see us.
‘Have you ever been to Rome?’ ‘Yes, I have, actually. Not long ago.’
‘Have you ever thought of changing your job?’ ‘No, never/No I haven’t.’
She hardly ever (= almost never) goes out.
We've only ever talked on the phone.
I don't think I ever really thanked you properly.
He wondered whether it would ever actually happen.
We see them very seldom, if ever.
(informal) I'll never ever do that again!
I'm never speaking to you ever again!
2 used for emphasis when you are comparing things
It was raining harder than ever.
Consumers today have more choices than ever before.
It's my best-ever score.
It's the worst film I've ever seen.
3 (rather formal) all the time or every time; always
Paul, ever the optimist, agreed to try again.
She married the prince and they lived happily ever after.
He said he would love her for ever (and ever).
Their debts grew ever larger (= kept increasing).
the ever-growing problem
an ever-present danger
4 used after when, why, etc. to show that you are surprised or shocked
Why ever did you agree?
Idioms
used to emphasize that somebody does the same thing very often, usually in an annoying way
All he ever does is grumble about things.
(old-fashioned, informal) used to show that you are surprised or shocked
Did you ever hear anything like it?
continuously since the time mentioned
He's had a car ever since he was 18.
I was bitten by a dog once and I've been afraid of them ever since.
(informal, especially British English) very; really
He looks ever so smart.
She's ever such a nice woman.
It's ever so easy.
(informal) used to emphasize that something is certainly true
That was a disaster if ever there was one!
(informal, especially North American English) used to emphasize something you are talking about
‘You must have been upset by that.’ ‘Was I ever!’
sometimes used at the end of an informal letter, before you write your name
Word Origin