eternal
ih-TUR-nl
Eternal (adj) means lasting forever, without beginning or end. Example: “The poem describes the eternal cycle of day and night.”
adj
1
Lasting forever, without beginning or end.
"The poem describes the eternal cycle of day and night."
"Many religions promise the soul eternal life."
"They spoke of their eternal love for one another."
2
Seeming to go on forever; constant or never-ending, often used to complain about something.
"Their eternal arguments about the thermostat drove the whole office mad."
"I can't stand this eternal rain; it has not stopped all week."
"I'm tired of his eternal complaining."
How to use eternal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGoing on forever, or feeling like it never stops.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
eternal life
eternal love
eternal struggle
eternal flame
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Word forms
- Plural
- eternals
- Comparative
- more eternal
- Superlative
- most eternal
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The poem describes the _____ cycle of day and night.
Etymology
From Old French eternal, from Latin aeternus (\"eternal\"), from aevum (\"age, lifetime\") — the same root that gives us the word \"age\".
Synonyms
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immortal
ageful
agelong
amaranthine
celestial
endless
enduring
eterne
everduring
evergreen
everlasting
eviternal
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for eternal
See all rhymes for eternal →Frequently asked questions
What does “eternal” mean?
The word “eternal” means lasting forever, without beginning or end. In plain terms, going on forever, or feeling like it never stops.
How do you pronounce “eternal”?
“Eternal” is pronounced ih-TUR-nl (/ɪˈtɝ.nl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “eternal” in a sentence?
Here is “eternal” used in a sentence: “Many religions promise the soul eternal life.”
What is another word for “eternal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “eternal” include ageful, agelong, amaranthine, celestial, endless and enduring.
What is the opposite of “eternal”?
The opposite of “eternal” — its antonyms — are ephemeral, fleeting, impermanent, mortal and momentary.
What part of speech is “eternal”?
“Eternal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “eternal” come from?
The word “eternal” comes from Latin. From Old French eternal, from Latin aeternus (\"eternal\"), from aevum (\"age, lifetime\") — the same root that gives us the word \"age\".
Is “eternal” a common word?
“Eternal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "eternal" and "immortal"?
"Eternal" means lasting forever, without beginning or end, and can describe things, states, or ideas. "Immortal" specifically means unable to die, so it usually applies to living beings or their souls.
What is the difference between "eternal" and "everlasting"?
Both mean lasting forever and are often interchangeable. "Eternal" can suggest existence outside time altogether, without beginning or end, while "everlasting" more often stresses continuing endlessly into the future.
When is "eternal" used to complain about something?
In its informal sense, "eternal" describes something that seems to go on forever and is irritating, as in "his eternal complaining." Here it does not mean literally forever but expresses frustration at something constant or never-ending.
What nouns commonly follow "eternal"?
"Eternal" often pairs with abstract nouns such as "eternal life," "eternal love," "eternal peace," and "eternal flame." In the complaining sense it precedes ordinary nouns, as in "eternal delays."
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