forever

1 of 3

adverb

for·​ev·​er fə-ˈre-vər How to pronounce forever (audio)
fȯ-;
 Southern often  fə-ˈe-və
1
: for a limitless time
wants to live forever
2
: at all times : continually
is forever making bad puns

forever

2 of 3

noun

: a seemingly interminable time : excessively long
It took her forever to find the answer.

forever

3 of 3

adjective

: not temporary or changing : permanent
"Any mandate we're looking at would be temporary, this is not a forever thing," BART District 8 Director Janice Li told SFGATE.Eric Ting
especially : of, relating to, or being a lifelong relationship
The song fantasizes of a forever romance … Ryan Dombal
Jim, who works for a federal agency, had a couple of post-divorce relationships that fizzled out and is ready to meet his forever person. Maybe even get remarried. Tanya Ballard Brown
The baby who started life in the NICU now has a forever family. Together, they're sharing the joys of the holiday season and encouraging others to consider fostering or adopting. Joey Safchik
This British reality show … centers on the caring staff at a rural animal rescue center, as they try to find forever homes [=permanent adoptive homes] for the dogs that have come into their care. latimes.com

Examples of forever in a Sentence

Adverb She was convinced that she would live forever. I've been waiting forever for the doctor. a dog that was forever chasing cars He's forever asking silly questions. Noun After what seemed like forever, I was able to see the doctor. It took forever to find his keys.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
For the first time in what seemed like forever, Adams seemed unsure — uncertain — about his feelings, future and what’s next for Kansas basketball. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2024 There’s even a photography concierge who can snap a photo of you and your family in this scenic setting to treasure forever. Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2024 Of course, Van Noten’s work will forever be cemented in fashion history. Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2024 From President to Defendant: The indictment against Trump in this case has forever marked him as the nation’s first former president to face criminal charges, setting off a split-screen battle between the campaign trail and the courtroom. Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Every parent dreams of taking their kids on a fantasy spring break vacation and making memories that last forever. Alesandra Dubin, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024 The next time law enforcement resources are needlessly wasted in this manner, the offender will be forever labeled a felon. Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 Everyone thought the letters would be sealed forever and no one would ever see them. Tatiana Tenreyro, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2024 This could be the myth of Blackness itself, that it is never permitted to grow up, to sound too bitter, forever young and inchoate, never atrophying past the dazzling tones of entertainment so that all the world accepts wholeheartedly of Black life is its half-life. Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Noun
One way to mess with an option team’s Plan A is to not only stick them with third-and-forevers, but to put them in an early hole, making them throw out of desperation. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2019 Printed with thermochromic ink, the stamp reveals a second image of the moon when a finger is pressed to it, and a sheet of 16 Forever stamps features a map of the eclipse path. Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2017 Forever is gonna start aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas Monday with a concert of lunar proportions. Chabeli Herrera, miamiherald, 17 Aug. 2017 Forever stamps are always equal to the current First-Class Mail service 1-ounce price. Michael McGough, sacbee, 14 July 2017 On July 12, the centenary of the artist’s birth, the postal service will celebrate the first day of 12 commemorative Forever stamps, each depicting a detail from a Wyeth painting. Stephan Salisbury, Philly.com, 26 June 2017 Try your hand at space exploration (Photo: Provided by US Postal Service) The pane of 16 Forever stamps are available beginning Tuesday at Post Office facilities nationwide and may be pre-ordered for delivery after June 20. Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 20 June 2017
Adjective
This week saw several local chickens paired with their forever homes. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 17 Feb. 2024 The British heritage brand promises to treasure its forever trenches, with special cleaning and reproofing treatments and replacement part solutions. Kerry McDermott, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2023 And American leadership means ending the forever war in Afghanistan, Mr. Biden said, to applause. Grace Segers, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2021 The Arizona Humane Society’s Virtual Matchmaking Adoptions by appointment is available to place pets with their forever families. The Republic, The Arizona Republic, 8 Oct. 2022 Jim, who works for a federal agency, had a couple of post-divorce relationships that fizzled out and is ready to meet his forever person. Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2022 While many are currently in placements and have plans in place, hundreds are still awaiting the chance at their forever homes. Holly V. Hays, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Nov. 2020 There are two sloth pups at the San Antonio Zoo waiting to be given their forever names. Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Mar. 2023 Remembering and honoring our forever hero, Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald. CBS News, 19 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'forever.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1741, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of forever was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near forever

Cite this Entry

“Forever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forever. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

forever

adverb
for·​ev·​er
fə-ˈrev-ər,
fȯ-
1
: for a limitless time : everlastingly
wants to live forever
2
: always sense 1, constantly
a dog that was forever chasing cars

More from Merriam-Webster on forever

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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