Every
/ˈɛvri/
Definitions
2 meaningsReferring to each and all members of a set or group.
/ˈɛvri/
Used to refer to all the members of a group or category, one after the other.
Every child deserves a good education.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're giving out cookies. 'Every' means you're giving one to each person in the room, no matter how many people are there! So, you could say, 'I gave every friend a cookie!'
👶 For kids: When you say 'every', you mean all of them!
More Examples
She reads every book in the series.
I visit my grandparents every weekend.
How It's Used
"Every student must submit their assignment."
"I go to the gym every morning."
Used to emphasize or intensify a statement.
/ˈɛvri/
Used for emphasis or to indicate frequency, often with 'single'.
Every single detail was important to the investigation.
💡 Simply: If you were talking about something that was really, really important, you might say, 'I felt every single emotion!'
👶 For kids: Sometimes we use 'every' to say things are REALLY true.
More Examples
He was every bit as nervous as she was.
They wanted to consider every possibility.
How It's Used
"She's every bit as smart as her brother."
"Every single thing seemed to go wrong that day."
Idioms & expressions
every now and then
Occasionally; from time to time.
"I like to go for a walk every now and then."
every Tom, Dick, and Harry
Ordinary or average people.
"The concert was full of every Tom, Dick, and Harry."
every cloud has a silver lining
Even in a difficult or unpleasant situation, there is something positive to be found.
"I lost my job, but every cloud has a silver lining - now I can look for something I actually enjoy doing."
From Middle English *everi*, from Old English *æfre*, from Proto-Germanic *aiwaz* ('ever, always') and *gīra* ('each, any').
The word 'every' has been used in English since the Old English period, demonstrating its enduring importance in expressing totality or frequency.
Memory tip
Think of 'every' as a spotlight that shines on each individual item in a group.