eventual
Americanadjective
-
happening at some indefinite future time or after a series of occurrences; ultimate.
His mistakes led to his eventual dismissal.
- Synonyms:
- later, consequent, subsequent
-
depending upon uncertain events; contingent.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of eventual
1605–15; < Latin ēventu ( s ) event + -al 1, modeled of French éventuel
Explanation
The adjective eventual is used to describe something that is likely to happen in the indefinite future. If you are a teen, you can't wait for your eventual graduation from high school, but later, you'll look back fondly on those same high school days. Eventual implies that the result will occur due to circumstances already set in motion or if a given set of circumstances happens. In other words, eventual is not used to randomly predict the future. You may hope to win the lottery in the future, but you can't talk about your eventual lottery win because you have no way to guarantee your numbers will be chosen — unless you've figured out a way to rig the system. If you have, maybe you should think about your eventual jail time.
Vocabulary lists containing eventual
Ancient Greece, Lessons 1–3
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
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Ventus and Venire
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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.
Clearer evidence about the economics of robotaxis and robotics would help investors assess the eventual payoff.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
Yes, we all have some level of complicity in the world’s eventual end.
From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026
His eventual retirement was caused by a gearbox problem rather than a driving error, but there had been little sign of any kind of meaningful challenge before then.
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
The exchange took during the Steelers’ first drive in their eventual 27-24 road loss to the Cleveland Browns.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
Hamilton lobbied his Federalist colleagues in the House to support Jefferson over Burr for the presidency, a decision that probably had a decisive effect on the eventual outcome.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
