ev ‧ ery S1 W1 /ˈevri/ BrE AmE determiner [always followed by a singular countable noun]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: æfre ælc 'ever each' ]
1 . used to refer to all the people or things in a particular group or all the parts of something:
We looked carefully at every car that drove past.
Every child will receive a certificate at the end of the course.
I enjoyed every minute of the film.
I listened carefully to every word he said.
every single (=used to emphasize that you mean 'all')
He seems to know every single person in the school.
every last drop/bit/scrap etc (=all of something, including even the smallest amount of it)
They made us pick up every last scrap of paper.
2 .
a) used to say how often something happens
every day/week/month etc (=at least once on each day, in each week etc)
They see each other every day.
Richard visits his mother every week.
every few seconds/ten days etc
Re-apply your sunscreen every two hours.
Freda had to stop to rest every hundred metres or so (=each time she had gone 100 metres) .
b) used to say how much distance there is between the things in a line
every few feet/ten yards etc
There were traffic lights every ten yards.
3 . every time whenever:
The roof leaks every time it rains.
4 . every now and then/again ( also every so often ) sometimes, but not often or regularly:
I still see her every now and then.
5 . every other the first, third, fifth etc or the second, fourth, sixth etc:
You only need to water plants every other day.
I visit my parents every other weekend.
6 . one in every three/two in every hundred etc used to show how common something is:
In Britain, one in every three marriages now ends in divorce.
7 . the strongest or greatest possible:
We wish you every happiness in your new home.
There is every chance that he will recover.
We have every reason to believe that the operation will be a success.
We have every intention of winning this competition.
8 . in every way in all ways:
The school’s much better now in every way.
9 . every bit as good/important etc used to emphasize that something is equally as good, important etc as something else:
Taking regular exercise is every bit as important as having a healthy diet.
I loved him every bit as much as she did.
10 . every Tom, Dick, and Harry spoken used to mean ‘everyone’ or ‘anyone’, especially when you disapprove because there is no limit on who can be included:
I didn’t want every Tom, Dick and Harry knowing about my private life.
11 . every which way American English informal in every direction:
The kids ran off every which way.
⇨ every inch at ↑ inch 1 (3)
• • •
GRAMMAR
Every is used before a singular noun. Use a singular verb after it:
▪
Every member wears a uniform.
Every is usually used with a singular pronoun or determiner (he, she, it, his, himself etc):
▪
Every player did his best.
However, you can use 'they', 'them', 'their' etc when you do not want to say whether people are male or female:
▪
Every child has their own room.