Everyday vs every day
Everyday is one word, an adjective before a noun: ordinary, or happening daily (everyday clothes, an everyday task). Every day is two words and says when or how often: each day, or very often.
If you could say each day instead, write every day as two words.
everyday adjective
Normal and ordinary, not special, or meant for normal days rather than special occasions.
- The film finds real drama in everyday situations like commutes and grocery runs.
- He keeps an everyday watch for the office and a dressier one for events.
every day adverb
Each day, daily, or very often.
- I walk the dog every day before work.
- She checks the weather every day before she leaves the house.
Watch out
- Everyday can also mean happening daily, but it still describes a noun. When you say how often something happens, use every day.Stretching is an everyday part of his routine, so he stretches every day.
- Less often, mainly in formal or literary writing, the everyday is a noun for ordinary daily life. It is still one word.His novels find quiet meaning in the everyday.
Test yourself
I take the bus to work blank.
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every day. It says how often, so you could say each day. Use two words.
These are my blank shoes, not my party shoes.
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everyday. It describes the shoes as ones for normal days.
Traffic jams are an blank problem in this city.
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everyday. It describes the problem as ordinary and common.
We practiced the piano blank for a month.
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every day. It tells how often they practiced, so it means each day.
Full entries: everydayevery day