endless
EHND-lihs
Endless (adj) means having no end; going on forever or seeming to. Example: “The children asked endless questions during the whole drive to the coast.”
adj
1
Having no end; going on forever or seeming to.
"Trains from Lime Street to Edge Hill were hauled by an endless hempen rope worked by a stationary engine on the platform at the latter station."
— , Cable Operation at Liverpool and London (1942)
"endless time; endless praise"
"The children asked endless questions during the whole drive to the coast."
"The desert stretched out in endless dunes."
"It felt like an endless wait at the airport."
How to use endless
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWithout limit — either literally never-ending, or just extremely long or numerous.
Common pairings
endless possibilities
endless supply
endless list
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Etymology
From Old English endelēas, formed from end plus the suffix -less ("without").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for endless
See all rhymes for endless →Frequently asked questions
What does “endless” mean?
The word “endless” means having no end; going on forever or seeming to. In plain terms, without limit — either literally never-ending, or just extremely long or numerous.
How do you pronounce “endless”?
“Endless” is pronounced EHND-lihs (/ˈɛndlɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “endless” in a sentence?
Here is “endless” used in a sentence: “The desert stretched out in endless dunes.”
What is another word for “endless”?
Words with a similar meaning to “endless” include infinite, unlimited, eternal, never-ending, termless and ceaseless.
What is the opposite of “endless”?
The opposite of “endless” — its antonyms — are finite and limited.
What part of speech is “endless”?
“Endless” is an adjective.
Where does the word “endless” come from?
The word “endless” comes from Old English. From Old English endelēas, formed from end plus the suffix -less ("without").
Is “endless” a common word?
“Endless” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between endless and infinite?
Endless means having no end or seeming to go on forever, and it is often used figuratively or for emphasis. Infinite is more literal and measurable, describing something limitless in extent or number, so infinite is common in mathematics while endless is common in everyday speech.
What is the difference between endless and countless?
Endless describes something with no end in duration or extent, as in "an endless wait." Countless describes something too numerous to count, so it refers to quantity rather than to whether something goes on forever.
Is endless used as hyperbole?
Yes, endless is often used as an exaggeration meaning that something merely seems to have no end, as in "endless meetings." In this everyday, emphatic use it does not literally mean without any end at all.
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