Meaning of ever In English

• 0 at any time:

  • Nothing ever happens here in the evening.

  • Have you ever been to London?

  • If you're ever/If ever you're in Rio, do give me a call.

  • He hardly ever (= almost never) washes the dishes and he rarely, if ever, (= probably never) does any cleaning.

  • When there's a James Bond movie on TV, I never ever miss it.

  • If ever there was a cause for celebration, this peace treaty was it.

  • The smell is worse than ever.

  • I thought she was famous, but none of my friends have ever heard of her.

  • We are spending more than ever on education.

  • The restaurants are as good as ever and no more expensive.

• 1 continuously:

  • United's record in cup competitions grows ever more impressive.

  • The ever-increasing demand for private cars could be halted by more investment in public transport.

  • Nuclear devastation was an ever-present threat.

  • Susan and Guy moved to the country, where they lived happily ever after.

  • He's been depressed ever since he got divorced.

  • As ever, I was the last to find out.

  • Yours ever, Yvonne.

• 2 used for emphasizing an adjective:

  • The orchestra is to perform its last ever concert/last concert ever tomorrow night at the Albert Hall.

  • Yesterday the company announced its first ever fall in profits.

  • Was she ever a fast runner! (= She was a very fast runner!)

  • "Are you looking forward to your vacation?" "Am I ever!" (= Yes, very much!)

  • How ever did he manage that?

  • What ever have you done to him?

  • Why ever would anyone/Why would anyone ever want to hurt her?

  • She's ever so pretty.

  • She's ever such a pretty girl.

• 3 at any time:

  • Nothing ever happens here.

  • Have you ever been to Europe?

  • I thought she was famous, but none of my friends have ever heard of her.

  • We are spending more money than ever.

  • He hardly ever washes the dishes (= almost never).

• 4 always, or continuously:

  • Her record grows ever more impressive over the years.

  • There’s an ever-increasing demand for new styles.

  • I have taught school ever since my children were little.

• 5 used to emphasize an adjective:

  • I saw John Coltrane’s last concert ever.

  • Was she ever angry (= She was very angry)!