eternity

American  

[ih-tur-ni-tee] / ɪˈtɜr nɪ ti /

noun

plural

eternities

1. infinite time; duration without beginning or end.

2. eternal existence, especially as contrasted with mortal life.

   the eternity of God.

3. Theology. the timeless state into which the soul passes at a person's death.

4. an endless or seemingly endless period of time.

   We had to wait an eternity for the check to arrive.

5. eternities, the truths or realities of life and thought that are regarded as timeless or eternal.

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eternity British  

/ ɪˈtɜːnɪtɪ /

noun

1. endless or infinite time

2. the quality, state, or condition of being eternal

3. (usually plural) any of the aspects of life and thought that are considered to be timeless, esp timeless and true

4. theol the condition of timeless existence, believed by some to characterize the afterlife

5. a seemingly endless period of time

   an eternity of waiting

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Other Word Forms

• noneternity noun
• preeternity noun

Etymology

Origin of eternity

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English eternite, from Latin aeternitās; equivalent to eterne + -ity

Example Sentences

“The world is huge! I’m sure somebody else can sort it out! If I take the potion—I will never rest. Never, never, ever, for eternity. So I won’t.”

From Literature

If you think about it in terms of, say, eternity, it’s just a fraction of time you’re setting aside to spare your loved ones a big hassle.

From MarketWatch

There was a row of tiny black buttons, which had taken an eternity to fasten back at the fashion emporium in Washington, running all the way up my ankle.

From Literature

Announcing a candidate this early is unusual - if a week's a long time in politics, then two-and-a-half years is an eternity.

From BBC

At 22, an eternity in social-media years, LinkedIn has become a bigger part of the lives of many professionals and a thriving business.

From The Wall Street Journal