eternity
18 synonyms and 2 antonyms for eternity, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Time without end; existence that never stops.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use eternity
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French eternité, from Latin aeternitās, from aeternus (\"eternal\").
Full origin of eternity →Frequently asked questions
What does “eternity” mean?
The word “eternity” means time without end; existence that never stops. In plain terms, time that never ends, or a stretch of time that feels like it never will.
How do you pronounce “eternity”?
“Eternity” is pronounced ih-TUR-nih-tee (/əˈtɜɹnəti/ in IPA).
How do you use “eternity” in a sentence?
Here is “eternity” used in a sentence: “Some faiths teach that the soul lives on for eternity.”
What is another word for “eternity”?
Words with a similar meaning to “eternity” include eternal now, extratemporality, perpetuity, ages, centuries and donkey's years.
What is the opposite of “eternity”?
The opposite of “eternity” — its antonyms — are sempiternity and moment.
What part of speech is “eternity”?
“Eternity” is a noun.
Where does the word “eternity” come from?
The word “eternity” comes from Latin. From Old French eternité, from Latin aeternitās, from aeternus (\"eternal\").
Is “eternity” a common word?
“Eternity” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between eternity and infinity?
Eternity refers specifically to time without end, or existence that never stops, while infinity is a broader mathematical and philosophical concept referring to something without any limit, not necessarily tied to time. Eternity is essentially infinity applied to the dimension of time.
How is "eternity" used to describe a feeling rather than actual endless time?
"Eternity" is often used loosely to describe an amount of time that feels endlessly long, even though it is not literally infinite, as in "we waited an eternity for the results." This figurative use exaggerates duration for emphasis.
What does "for eternity" mean in common phrases?
"For eternity" means forever, without any end, and is often used in emotional or poetic contexts such as vows or memorials to express a permanent, unending commitment or state.