immemorial
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- immemorially adverb
Etymology
Origin of immemorial
From the Medieval Latin word immemoriālis, dating back to 1595–1605. See im- 2, memorial
Explanation
Anything immemorial is very, very old. You're most likely to hear this word in the phrase "time immemorial," a common way to say "so long ago that no one remembers it." The French immémorial means "old beyond memory," from a Latin root. Don't confuse this adjective with immemorable, which is sometimes used instead, but which literally means "not worth remembering." Immemorial is a perfect way to describe ancient things, including stories, customs, religions, and even time itself.
Vocabulary lists containing immemorial
This Week in Words: March 30–April 5, 2019
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Ancient Wisdom: Synonyms for "Old"
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"The Witch Boy" by Molly Knox Ostertag
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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.
"Uganda has been ready for a civilian leader since time immemorial," he insists, adding that according to Uganda's constitution, the military must be subordinate to the civilian authority.
From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026
The future promised by AI is exciting and lucrative, but there is something to be said for investors flocking to an asset that has been treasured since time immemorial.
From Barron's • Dec. 23, 2025
One would think the viruses and bacteria that have tormented humanity since time immemorial would never find a friend in the species — human beings — they so routinely sicken and kill.
From Salon • Feb. 5, 2025
“We follow the Santa Ana river, so this goes back to time immemorial that we’ve been aware of this sacred ceremonial space.”
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2024
“Better put it back,” said Roger uneasily, and Lyra upturned the skull and dropped the disk back into its immemorial resting place before returning the skull to the shelf.
From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman
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.
