ever and anon

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

a•non /əˈnɑn/   adv. 

1. Older Use. in a short time;
   soon:
   "I'll see you anon,'' she said, laughingly.

anon.,  an abbreviation of:

1. anonymous.
2. anonymously.

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ev•er /ˈɛvɚ/   adv. 

1. (used to mean "at any time'' in questions, in sentences with negative words, with words expressing a condition, like if, with words expressing uncertainty, like doubt, and after a comparative adjective with than):
   Did you ever go skiing? I hardly ever drink soda. If you ever see him, tell him to call me. I doubt that I'll ever see her again. She looks better than ever now.
2. (used to mean "at all times;
   always'' before an adjective or another adverb):
   an ever-present danger.
3. (used with since and the present perfect tense) starting in the past and going on continuously up to now:
   Ever since then we've been best friends.
4. in any possible case;
   by any chance;
   at all: How did you ever manage to do that?

Usage

See still.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

a•non  (ə non′), adv. 

1. in a short time;
   soon.
2. at another time.
3. [Archaic.] at once;
   immediately.
4. ever and anon, now and then;
   occasionally.

• Middle English anon, anoon, Old English on āne in one (course), i.e., straightaway bef. 1000

anon., 

1. anonymous.
2. anonymously.
• 1730–40

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ev•er  (ev′ər), adv. 

1. at all times;
   always:
   an ever-present danger; He is ever ready to find fault.
2. continuously:
   ever since then.
3. at any time:
   Have you ever seen anything like it?
4. in any possible case;
   by any chance;
   at all (often used to intensify or emphasize a phrase or an emotional reaction as surprise or impatience):
   How did you ever manage to do it? If the band ever plays again, we will dance.
5. Idioms ever and again, now and then;
   from time to time. Also, Literary, ever and anon. 
6. Idioms ever so, to a great extent or degree;
   exceedingly:
   They were ever so kind to me.

adj. 

7. Dialect Terms [South Midland and Southern U.S.] every:
   She rises early ever morning.

• bef. 1000; Middle English; Old English ǣfre

Synonyms

• 1. eternally, perpetually, constantly. See always. 

Antonyms

• 1. never.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

anon / əˈnɒn/ adverb

1. in a short time; soon
2. ever and anon ⇒ now and then

Etymology: Old English on āne, literally: in one, that is, immediately

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ever / ˈɛvə/ adverb

1. at any time: have you ever seen it?
2. by any chance; in any case: how did you ever find out?
3. at all times; always: ever busy
4. in any possible way or manner: come as fast as ever you can
5. (intensifier, in the phrases ever so, ever such, and ever such a): ever so good, ever such bad luck, ever such a waste
6. ever and again, ever and anon ⇒ now and then; from time to time
7. is he ever!, is she ever! ⇒ he or she displays the quality concerned in abundance

See also foreverEtymology: Old English ǣfre, of uncertain origin