every

[ev-ree]

adjective

1. being one of a group or series taken collectively; each.

   We go there every day.

2. all possible; the greatest possible degree of.

   every prospect of success.

every

/ ˈɛvrɪ /

determiner

1. each one (of the class specified), without exception

   every child knows it

2. (not used with a negative) the greatest or best possible

   every hope of success

3. each: used before a noun phrase to indicate the recurrent, intermittent, or serial nature of a thing

   every third day

   every now and then

   every so often

4. (used in comparisons with as) quite; just; equally

   every bit as funny as the other show

5. each alternate; every second

   every other day

6. 1. in all directions; everywhere

      I looked every which way for you

   2. from all sides

      stones coming at me every which way

Word History and Origins

Origin of every¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English every, everich, Old English ǣfre ǣlc, literally “ever each” (the first element of the phrase reinforcing the second); ever ( def. ), each

Word History and Origins

Origin of every¹

C15 everich, from Old English ǣfre ǣlc, from ǣfre _ever + ǣlc _each

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. every bit, in every respect; completely.

   This is every bit as good as she says it is.

2. every which way, in all directions; in disorganized fashion.

   I brushed against the table, and the cards fell every which way.

3. every now and then, on occasion; from time to time: Also every once in a while, every so often.

   She bakes her own bread every now and then.

4. every other, every second; every alternate.

   milk deliveries every other day.

More idioms and phrases containing every

• at every turn
• each and every
• finger in the (every) pie
• living soul, every
• nook and cranny, every

Synonym Study

See each.

Example Sentences

Hoffman: No. And here’s the reason for that, I’m not opposed to that convo but I think a real fear of an actor is that you’re doing the same thing every time.

From Los Angeles Times

“Despite our best efforts to find a sustainable path forward — including exploring every possible solution to address these challenges — we have made the very difficult decision to wind down the business.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Pretty much every match there is something happening that you have to address and deal with."

From BBC

Since May, every Russian region has seen mobile internet go down.

From BBC

You have to leave everything on the pitch every single time.

From BBC

Related Words

• all