ever

ev|er [ `evər ] adverb ***

1. ) usually in negatives or questions at any time in the past, present, or future:

If you ever need any help, just let me know.

Was Ron ever in the army?

have you ever done something?: Have you ever been to Las Vegas?

hardly ever (=almost never): It hardly ever rains here in the summer.

rarely/seldom, if ever (=rarely and probably never): The method seldom, if ever, fails.

a ) used for emphasizing that something has never happened before or should never happen:

Don't ever do that again.

It was the only serious question he had ever asked me.

never ever: I will never ever forget what you've done for me.

first/last/only...ever: It was her first time ever on an airplane.

b ) used for emphasis when making comparisons with the past:

more/bigger/better etc. than ever: Isabel's looking lovelier than ever.

the most/biggest/best etc. ever: Thailand's largest ever trade fair

2. ) used before a COMPARATIVE adjective or adverb for showing that something is growing or developing all the time:

The tax laws grow ever more complex.

Our aim is an ever closer union of nation states.

all someone ever does/wants/gets etc. SPOKEN

used for emphasizing that the same thing happens all the time, especially when this is annoying:

All he ever does is complain.

All I ever get is bills and junk mail.

as ever

used for saying that someone's behavior or a situation is the same as usual, or the same as it has always been:

Gordon, as ever, tried to cause problems.

as...as ever: I thought Alex might be angry, but he was as polite and friendly as ever.

do/is/can etc. someone ever SPOKEN

used for emphasizing that someone does something or has a particular quality:

Mad? Was he ever!

You guys must be tired. Are we ever! We've been driving all day.

ever since

during the whole period of time since something happened:

I first met Harry in high school and we've been good friends ever since.

Ever since his wife left him, he's had a drinking problem.

ever so/ever such (a) BRITISH SPOKEN

used before an adjective or adverb to mean very :

It was ever so kind of you to invite us.

She's ever such a good dancer.

if ever there was one/something

used for emphasizing that something or someone is definitely what you say they are:

Now there's a challenge, if ever there was one.

He realized that if ever there was a time for action, this was it.

who/why/what etc. ever? MAINLY BRITISH

used for emphasizing a question, especially when you are surprised or upset:

What ever gave you that idea?

Yours ever/Ever yours BRITISH OLD-FASHIONED

used for ending a letter before you sign your name

=> FOREVER, HAPPILY