adjective

never-ending

nev-uh-END-ing

Never-ending (adjective) means seeming to continue for ever, usually because it is tedious or exhausting. Example: “The never-ending paperwork is what finally drove her out of teaching.”

adjective

Seeming to continue for ever, usually because it is tedious or exhausting.

"The never-ending paperwork is what finally drove her out of teaching."

"It was a never-ending queue that snaked round two corners."

Genuinely without end; continuing indefinitely.

"A circle is a never-ending line."

How to use never-ending

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishIt goes on and on and never seems to stop.

When to use it

Neutral, and usually hyperbole rather than literal truth. Normally hyphenated before a noun; 'never ending' unhyphenated is common but less careful.

Memory tip

Keep the hyphen when the phrase sits before a noun — 'a never-ending list'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

unending → endless → non-stop

Common pairings

a never-ending cycle never-ending story never-ending stream of seemingly never-ending

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ paperwork is what finally drove her out of teaching.

Etymology

From never + ending.

Synonyms

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endless interminable ceaseless unending perpetual infinite boundless

Antonyms

finite brief short-lived

Related words

short space limited quick standing passing permanent brief

Rhymes for never-ending

ending sending bending lending pending mending spending unending blending trending defending ascending

See all rhymes for never-ending →

Frequently asked questions

Is it 'never ending' or 'never-ending'?

Hyphenate it when it comes before the noun it describes, as in 'a never-ending debate', because the two words work as a single modifier. After the verb, as in 'the debate seems never ending', the hyphen is optional and often dropped.

What is the difference between never-ending and endless?

They are very close synonyms. 'Endless' is the plainer and shorter word and can also suggest vast physical extent, as in 'endless plains', while 'never-ending' emphasises duration and more often carries a note of weariness.

What is the meaning of never-ending?

"never-ending" (adjective) means seeming to continue for ever, usually because it is tedious or exhausting.

What is another word for never-ending?

Other words for "never-ending" include endless, interminable, ceaseless, unending, perpetual, infinite.

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short space limited quick standing passing permanent brief