- each one (of the class specified), without exception: every child knows it
- (not used with a negative) the greatest or best possible: every hope of success
- 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
- every bit ⇒ (used in comparisons with as) quite; just; equally: every bit as funny as the other show
- every other ⇒ each alternate; every second: every other day
- every which way ⇒
- in all directions; everywhere: I looked every which way for you
- US Canadian from all sides: stones coming at me every which way
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
eve•ry /ˈɛvri/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- being one of a group or series taken collectively;
each (of a group): [before a singular countable noun]We go to the office every day.[before a number]Take these pills every two hours. - all possible;
the greatest possible degree of:[before a singular countable noun]We wished him every chance of success.
- Idioms every now and then or every so often, on occasion;
from time to time:I see him every now and then. - Idioms every other, every second;
every alternate:every other day. - Idioms every which way, in all directions;
in a disorganized fashion:His hair stuck out every which way.
- See each.
eve•ry
(ev′rē),USA pronunciation adj.
- being one of a group or series taken collectively;
each:We go there every day. - all possible;
the greatest possible degree of:every prospect of success. - Idioms every bit, in every respect;
completely:This is every bit as good as she says it is. - Idioms every now and then, on occasion;
from time to time:She bakes her own bread every now and then.Also, every once in a while, every so often. - Idioms every other, every second;
every alternate:milk deliveries every other day. - Idioms every which way, in all directions;
in disorganized fashion:I brushed against the table, and the cards fell every which way.
- Middle English every, everich, Old English ǣfre ǣlc ever each 1125–75
- 1. See each.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
every /ˈɛvrɪ/ determiner