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.
None say they’re getting rich or doing it for the money—though some can imagine an eventual payday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
The developments have overshadowed the Lee administration's outreach, including the Woljeong-ri project aimed at "eventual" reconciliation.
From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026
And yes, it is possible that the eventual consequence of that process is yet another by-election.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
Simpson started only 15 games at Alabama before the Rams ostensibly made him the eventual heir apparent to Matthew Stafford.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
How he spent each of those minutes and hours could, at least in theory, affect the eventual outcome.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
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.
