eternally

American

[ih-tur-nl-ee] / ɪˈtɜr nl i /

adverb

in a way that is ceaseless, endless, or perpetual.

We call on all citizens to be eternally vigilant in ensuring that human rights are protected and sustained.
in a way that is enduring and unchanging.

The couple is eternally grateful for the support shown by their community.
Metaphysics. in a way that exists outside of time, without beginning or end.

I worry I will be eternally tormented in hell, or at the very least punished severely here on earth.

Other Word Forms

noneternally adverb
quasi-eternally adverb

Etymology

Origin of eternally

eternal ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Most of the unhappy denizens of Dante’s imagined hell are being eternally tormented for specific moral crimes in categories covering lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud and treachery.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

Barcelona's eternally unfinished Sagrada Familia has grown to become the world's tallest church, but a conflict with residents threatens to delay the finish date for the monument designed over 140 years ago.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

Beyond being played in almost every festive setting, the eternally cheery earworm has tied for yet another record this year.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

“We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind,” his family added.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 14, 2025

If the cells died in the process, it didn’t matter—scientists could just go back to their eternally growing HeLa stock and start over again.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023