eternity

[ ih-tur-ni-tee ]

/ ɪˈtɜr nɪ ti /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: eternity / eternities on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural e·ter·ni·ties.

infinite time; duration without beginning or end.

eternal existence, especially as contrasted with mortal life: the eternity of God.

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

an endless or seemingly endless period of time: We had to wait an eternity for the check to arrive.

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

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of eternity

1325–75; Middle English eternite<Latin aeternitās.See eterne, -ity

OTHER WORDS FROM eternity

non·e·ter·ni·ty, nounpre·e·ter·ni·ty, noun

Words nearby eternity

eternal flame, eternalize, eternally, eternal triangle, eterne, eternity, eternity ring, eternize, etesian, ETF, eth

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use eternity in a sentence

If you want to build a paradise on Earth or you want to achieve your salvation in eternity, you may go to war because you’ll feel less frightened of death and you’re part of a much greater cause.
Humans Have Gotten Nicer and Better at Making War - Issue 94: Evolving|Steve Paulson|January 6, 2021|Nautilus
Kylie’s time under house arrest soon grows quite eventful, but it starts out with the palpable slow slog of eternity.
One Good Thing: Housebound is the perfect horror comedy for the perpetually quarantined|Aja Romano|December 31, 2020|Vox
We waited for what seemed like an eternity before the light was extinguished accompanied by the sound of glass shattering and a dog barking.
My Friend, the Murderer|Eugene Robinson|November 24, 2020|Ozy
Accelerating this way meant that Santul ran about 45 seconds faster, which can feel like an eternity when running a marathon.
Can You Snatch Defeat From The Jaws Of Victory?|Zach Wissner-Gross|November 13, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

The wizened 69-year-old, with a Gandalf-like demeanor and a do-it-yourself ethos, wants to preserve information for eternity.
Preserving a Sense of Wonder in DNA - Issue 92: Frontiers|Virat Markandeya|October 28, 2020|Nautilus
After what seemed a desperate eternity, a doctor shook his head.
'Please Don't Die!': The Frantic Battle to Save Murdered Cops|Michael Daly|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Newsroom aired its final episode on Sunday, already an eternity ago in news-cycle terms.
A Few Great Men Too Many: Aaron Sorkin Doesn’t Think You Can Handle the Truth|Arthur Chu|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He rests lavishly, depicted in a marble sarcophagus that stares up for eternity at the carved depictions of his life story.
Brooklyn’s Gangster Graveyard|Nina Strochlic|October 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But this is also a parody of narcissism, just a little detour to eternity.
Excuse Me For Not Dying: Leonard Cohen at 80|David Yaffe|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Finally, after an eternity—lasting maybe two seconds—I did what I usually do when faced with fear squatting in my stomach.
Spirit Tripping With Colombian Shamans|Chris Allbritton|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The blessings of time and eternity constitute the part of the promise offered to believers, through Christ.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
One instant in all eternity would have made just the difference between life and death to you.
Uncanny Tales|Various
He who wrongs a fellow-creature wrongs himself as well, and wrongs both for all eternity.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
At the close of the supper he filled his glass, and rising, proposed to drink to the eternity of the Republic.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
An eternity did it seem before those men returned and marched once more over his head.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for eternity

eternity

/ (ɪˈtɜːnɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

endless or infinite time

the quality, state, or condition of being eternal

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

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

a seemingly endless period of timean eternity of waiting

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

eternity

Origin of eternity

OTHER WORDS FROM eternity

Words nearby eternity

Words related to eternity

How to use eternity in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for eternity