adjective
Uncommon
perpetual
puh-PEHT-shoorl
Perpetual (adjective) means lasting forever, or continuing for so long it feels endless. Example: “She lived in a state of perpetual worry about her son overseas.”
adjective
1
Lasting forever, or continuing for so long it feels endless.
"She lived in a state of perpetual worry about her son overseas."
"The office seemed to be in a perpetual state of chaos."
"The desert seemed to stretch on under a perpetual blue sky."
2
Holding a position or right permanently, with no end date.
"The trust grants her a perpetual license to use the design."
"The charity was given a perpetual right to use the old hall."
"Unlike a yearly subscription, a perpetual licence never expires."
How to use perpetual
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNever-ending, or set up to continue indefinitely.
Common pairings
perpetual motion
perpetual cycle
state of perpetual
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Etymology
From Latin perpetuus, "continuing throughout," built from per- ("through") and a root meaning "to seek" or "make for."
Synonyms
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everlasting
endless
eternal
ceaseless
unending
unceasing
incessant
ageless
aeonian
constant
eonian
unremitting
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for perpetual
See all rhymes for perpetual →Frequently asked questions
What does “perpetual” mean?
The word “perpetual” means lasting forever, or continuing for so long it feels endless. In plain terms, never-ending, or set up to continue indefinitely.
How do you pronounce “perpetual”?
“Perpetual” is pronounced puh-PEHT-shoorl (/pɚˈpɛt͡ʃuəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “perpetual” in a sentence?
Here is “perpetual” used in a sentence: “She lived in a state of perpetual worry about her son overseas.”
What part of speech is “perpetual”?
“Perpetual” is an adjective.
Where does the word “perpetual” come from?
The word “perpetual” comes from Latin. From Latin perpetuus, "continuing throughout," built from per- ("through") and a root meaning "to seek" or "make for.".
Is “perpetual” a common word?
“Perpetual” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “perpetual” have?
“Perpetual” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lasting forever, or continuing for so long it feels endless.
What is the difference between perpetual and permanent?
Permanent describes something fixed and unchanging, not intended to be temporary, while perpetual emphasizes continuation without end or interruption, as in "perpetual motion" or "perpetual noise."
What is the difference between perpetual and eternal?
Eternal typically refers to something existing outside of time altogether, often in a spiritual or philosophical sense, while perpetual describes something that continues for so long it feels endless within ordinary time, like a perpetual argument.
