Dictionary.com

eternal

[ ih-tur-nl ]
/ ÉȘˈtɜr nl /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: eternal / eternality / eternally / eternalness on Thesaurus.com

Definition of eternal

adjective
without beginning or end; lasting forever; always existing (opposed to temporal): eternal life.
perpetual; ceaseless; endless: eternal quarreling;eternal chatter.
enduring; immutable: eternal principles.
Metaphysics. existing outside all relations of time; not subject to change.
noun
something that is eternal.
the Eternal. God.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
who
whom
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of eternal

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English eternale, eterneel, from Old French eternal, eternel, from Late Latin aeternālis, equivalent to aetern(us) (see eterne) + -ālis -al1

synonym study for eternal

1. Eternal, endless, everlasting, perpetual imply lasting or going on without ceasing. That which is eternal is, by its nature, without beginning or end: God, the eternal Father. That which is endless never stops but goes on continuously as if in a circle: an endless succession of years. That which is everlasting will endure through all future time: a promise of everlasting life. Perpeptual implies continuous renewal as far into the future as one can foresee: perpetual strife between nations.

OTHER WORDS FROM eternal

Words nearby eternal

etching ground, E.T.D., Eteocles, Eteoclus, Eteocretan, eternal, Eternal City, eternalize, eternally, eternal triangle, eterne
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to eternal

abiding, boundless, constant, continual, continued, enduring, everlasting, immortal, immutable, indestructible, infinite, interminable, lasting, never-ending, perennial, permanent, perpetual, relentless, timeless, unceasing

How to use eternal in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for eternal

eternal
/ (ÉȘˈtɜːnəl) /
adjective
  1. without beginning or end; lasting for evereternal life
  2. (as noun)the eternal
(often capital) denoting or relating to that which is without beginning and end, regarded as an attribute of God
unchanged by time, esp being true or valid for all time; immutableeternal truths
seemingly unceasing; occurring again and againeternal bickering

Derived forms of eternal

eternality or eternalness, nouneternally, adverb

Word Origin for eternal

C14: from Late Latin aeternālis, from Latin aeternus; related to Latin aevum age
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK