American English

How to pronounce forever

adverbB1Common word

ferEHver

/fɚˈɛ.vɚ/

3 syllables · Stress the second syllable.

For all time, with no end.

What to listen for

“Forever” is usually pronounced with a reduced first part, like “fer-” (/fɚˈɛvɚ/). You may also hear a fuller “for-” sound (/fɔɹˈɛvɚ/).

Usual reduced first syllable/fɚˈɛ.vɚ/

Fuller first syllable/fɔɹˈɛ.vɚ/

adverb

For all time, with no end.

They promised to stay together forever.

Some people dream of living forever.

Common phrases & grammar

last forever · live forever · together forever

verb + forever

will + verb + forever

adverb

For a very long time, especially longer than expected.

It took forever to get a taxi.

I've been waiting forever for this appointment.

Good to know

Here, forever often means “a very long time,” not literally without end.

Common phrases & grammar

take forever · wait forever · seem to last forever

take + forever + to + verb

wait + forever + for + noun

For all time, often said with strong feeling.

I will love you forever and ever.