evermore
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌɛvəmˈɔː/
US
- /ˈɛvərˌmɔr/
Description
- forever
- for all time
- always
- without end
- eternally
"Evermore" means forever or for all time. It has a poetic, old-fashioned feel, so you are more likely to see it in songs, poems, stories, or formal writing than in everyday speech. When someone says they will love another person "evermore," it sounds deeper and more dramatic than simply saying "forever."
It is often used for things that seem lasting and unchanging, such as love, memory, fame, sorrow, or fate. It can sound warm and loyal, but it can also sound sad or haunting. A melody might stay in your mind "evermore," or a painful event might be remembered "evermore."
"Evermore" is a literary and somewhat archaic word meaning forever, eternally, or always. It is more than just a synonym for "forever"; it carries a poetic and often melancholic weight, suggesting something that transcends time itself. Its roots lie in Old English components, combining "ever" (always) with "more" (further, additional) to create the sense of an unending continuation.
You won't typically hear "evermore" in everyday conversation. It is most commonly found in literature, poetry, and song—particularly those drawing on medieval or fantastical themes. Think of Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem, "The Raven," where the haunting refrain of "Nevermore" echoes a similar sense of eternal loss.
"Evermore" isn't limited to positive connotations, though. While it can express enduring love ("I will cherish you evermore"), it can also describe something inescapable or perpetually present—a sorrow that lingers "evermore," or a curse that holds fast "evermore." It is often used to emphasize the absolute permanence of a state, whether joyful or tragic.
Consider these examples:
* "They vowed to remain friends evermore." (A promise of lasting friendship) * "The legend of King Arthur will live on evermore." (An enduring tale) * "His guilt haunted him evermore." (A perpetual burden)
So, when you encounter "evermore," listen closely. It is a word that whispers of timelessness, fate, and the echoes of things that endure beyond our fleeting lives—a reminder that some things are meant to last… evermore.
Examples
- 1
Poetic promise
In the poem, the lovers promise to stay together evermore.
- 2
Lasting change
The war changed the country evermore.
- 3
Formal blessing
May peace remain in this house, now and evermore.
Usage
now and evermore
now and forever; very formal
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- evermoreadverb