eternity

American  

[ih-tur-ni-tee] / ɪˈtɜr nɪ ti /

noun

eternities plural

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

Explanation

Eternity means "forever," like living for all eternity. Or it can mean something that seems like it will go on for forever, like waiting an eternity for your sister to get out of the bathroom. Eternity means "time without end, or infinity," like people who promise to love one another for eternity — they aren't planning to ever split up. When you put the word an before eternity, you can use it to describe a very long — too long — period of time, so that you can use it to complain. For example, you might use the phrase "it felt like an eternity," after waiting twenty minutes to get an ice cream cone.

Example Sentences

A24’s comedy Eternity and Disney’s animated sequel Zootopia 2 both open on Wednesday, while Universal, 20th Century, and Paramount also have movies set for release.

From Barron's • Nov. 24, 2025

His campaign’s decision to hold its first in-person event at Eternity Church in Clive, Iowa, signals the enduring importance of evangelical Christian voters in the state’s Republican caucuses.

From New York Times • May 30, 2023

Evangelist Matt Brown of Think Eternity Ministries said he was impressed by the organic spread of the revival.

From Washington Times • Feb. 16, 2023

"The business we are making with Eternity is a new business. I think it's a new genre," says Park Jieun, the woman behind Eternity.

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2022

He insisted that this would never happen, he would never get taken by a dragon, and he most certainly did not need rescuing, for he was Jack, Prince of Eternity.

From "Breadcrumbs" by Anne Ursu