Forever

/fərˈevər/

adverbBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

For all time; eternally; without end.

/fərˈevər/

adverbpositiveBeginner
General

For all future time; eternally.

They vowed to love each other forever.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're making a promise to your best friend, saying you'll always be there for them, no matter what. That's kind of like forever – always and always!

👶 For kids: Always and always. Like when you say you will love someone forever.

More Examples

2

The memory of that day will last forever.

3

This song will be etched in my mind forever.

How It's Used

General

"I promise to love you forever."

Legal

"The contract is valid forever, unless terminated by either party."

2

For a very long time, seemingly without end.

/fərˈevər/

adverbneutralBeginner
General

For a very long time; always.

I’ve been working on this project forever.

💡 Simply: Sometimes, when you're waiting for something, it feels like you're waiting a really, really long time, right? Like, 'forever'! It's not actually forever, but it feels like it.

👶 For kids: A really, really, really long time!

More Examples

2

It felt like the traffic would last forever.

3

He waited for his turn forever.

How It's Used

Informal

"She's been complaining forever!"

General

"I feel like I've been waiting forever."

Tip:Think of waiting in a long line; it feels like forever.

Idioms & expressions

live forever

To never die; to have eternal life.

"Many people dream of living forever, but it's impossible in our current form."

forever and a day

For a very long time, seemingly endless.

"It felt like we waited forever and a day for the bus."

From Middle English *for evere*, equivalent to *for* + *ever*. *Ever* comes from Old English *ǣfre*, meaning 'always'.

The word's usage has remained consistent over time, signifying a perpetual state or duration, both literally and figuratively.

Memory tip

Think of a ring, a circle that has no end, representing forever.

Base: ever
foreveverforeveer

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written