Everyday vs Every Day | Difference & Examples

Everyday does not mean the same as every day. They are often confused because they contain the same words, which are pronounced in the same way but stressed differently.

  • Everyday (written as one word) is an adjective. It means “ordinary” or “normal.”
  • Every day (written as two words) functions as an adverbial phrase. It means “each day” or “daily.”
Examples: Everyday in a sentence Examples: Every day in a sentence
The archaeologists discovered many everyday items. Musicians have to practice every day.
Mobile phones have become an important part of our everyday lives. The course was boring because every day we did the same thing.

When pronouncing everyday, the stress is on the first syllable: ev-ry-day.

There is stress on both words in the phrase every day: ev-ry day.

Everyday is an adjective

The compound word everyday is an adjective meaning “ordinary” or “normal” used to describe a noun or noun phrase. It does not mean that something happens “each day.”

Examples: Everyday (adjective)
Her art is based on things that are part of our everyday experience.

The everyday hustle and bustle of life in the city is too much for some people.

Every day is an adverbial phrase

The adverbial phrase every day modifies verbs rather than adjectives. We use it to express frequency (i.e., that something happens “each day”).

Examples: Every day (adverbial phrase)
I have been for a walk every day this week.

The progress we are making every day is clear to see.

Tip
To check if your sentence is correct, replace “every” with “each.”

  • If the sentence still makes sense, then “every day” is the correct choice.
  • If your sentence doesn’t make sense, then “everyday” is probably the word that you need (there is no such word as “eachday”).

Frequently asked questions about everyday vs every day

What is a synonym for everyday?

Synonyms and near synonyms for the adjective everyday include:

  • Ordinary
  • Normal
  • Common
  • Regular
  • Routine

QuillBot’s paragraph rewriter can help you find synonyms for words like “everyday.”

What does every other day mean?

Every other day is an adverbial phrase that means “on every alternate day.”

For example, the statement “I usually call my mother every other day” means that the person does not telephone their mother every day; there is usually a day in between each call.

Try QuillBot’s rewriter to automatically vary your language and accurately express your meaning.

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Tom Challenger, BA

Tom holds a teaching diploma and is an experienced English language teacher, teacher trainer, and translator. He has taught university courses and worked as a teacher trainer on Cambridge CELTA courses.