forever

Forever is a term used to describe an indefinite, unending duration extending from the present into the future. In everyday language it functions mainly as an adverb meaning “for a very long time” and is often used for emphasis or to express commitment or sentiment, as in “I will love you forever.”

Etymology and form: The word derives from the phrase “for ever,” historically two words, with “ever” tracing back to Old English and related Germanic forms. In modern English it is usually written as a single word.

Usage and nuance: Forever denotes a duration without a known end, but in ordinary speech it is not a precise measurement and is often hyperbolic. Philosophically, it is sometimes contrasted with eternity, which is treated as timeless or infinite in an absolute sense. Some religious and metaphysical traditions discuss eternity as a state beyond ordinary time, while others describe forever as a long, endless sequence within time.

In culture and expression: Forever appears frequently in literature, music, film, and religion to convey permanence, constancy, or enduring states such as love, memory, or fidelity. Common phrases include “for ever,” “forevermore,” and “forever and always.” The concept also features in translations and idioms across languages, preserving the sense of an unending duration or lasting significance.

See also: eternity, infinity, perpetuity.