ever

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

ever BrE [ˈevə(r)] NAmE [ˈevər] adverb
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 thought of changing your job?’ ‘No, never/No I haven't.’
•‘Have you ever been to Rome?’ ‘Yes, I have, actually. Not long ago.’
•She hardly ever (= almost never) goes out.
•We see them very seldom, if ever.
• (informal)I'll never ever do that again!
2. used for emphasis when you are comparing things
• It was raining harder than ever.
• It's my best ever score.
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: ↑all somebody ever does is … ▪ ↑did you ever! ▪ ↑ever since ▪ ↑ever so such a ▪ ↑if ever there was ▪ ↑is somebody ever! ▪ ↑yours ever yours

Word Origin:
[ever] Old English ǣfre, of unknown origin.

• Từ đồng nghĩa / Synonyms:
  ever so, always, e'er, of all time
• Từ trái nghĩa / Antonyms:
  never, ne'er