eternal

[ ih-tur-nl ]

adjective

1. without beginning or end; lasting forever; always existing ( temporal ):

   eternal life.

   Synonyms: permanent

   Antonyms: transitory

2. perpetual; ceaseless; endless:

   eternal quarreling;

   eternal chatter.

3. enduring; immutable:

   eternal principles.

   Synonyms: indestructible, imperishable, undying, deathless, immortal, timeless

   Antonyms: mutable

4. Metaphysics. existing outside all relations of time; not subject to change.

noun

1. something that is eternal.
2. the Eternal. God.

eternal

/ ɪˈtɜːnəl /

adjective

1. 1. without beginning or end; lasting for ever

      eternal life

   2. ( as noun )

      the eternal

2. often capital denoting or relating to that which is without beginning and end, regarded as an attribute of God
3. unchanged by time, esp being true or valid for all time; immutable

   eternal truths

4. seemingly unceasing; occurring again and again

   eternal bickering

Derived Forms

• ˌeterˈnality, noun
• eˈternally, adverb

Other Words From

• e·ter·nal·i·ty [ee-tur-, nal, -i-tee], e·ter·nal·ness noun
• e·ter·nal·ly adverb
• non·e·ter·nal adjective
• non·e·ter·nal·ness noun
• pre·e·ter·nal adjective
• qua·si-e·ter·nal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eternal¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English eternale, eterneel, from Old French eternal, eternel, from Late Latin aeternālis, equivalent to aetern(us) ( eterne ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of eternal¹

C14: from Late Latin aeternālis, from Latin aeternus; related to Latin aevum age

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Hope must spring eternal even in the face of gloom — especially in the face of it.

From Los Angeles Times

At the upper left, the gray-bearded figure of a wise and eternal God directs the action, hovering within a dazzling golden sunburst.

From Los Angeles Times

He said afterwards that Nadal's "legacy is going to be eternal".

From BBC

I could listen to Jackson croon “Song on the Sand” and “Look Over There” on an eternal loop.

From Los Angeles Times

“We celebrate almost a decade of marriage together and a love that is eternal. There’s no one at fault, we believe this is the next best chapter in the evolution of our love.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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