everlasting
Americanadjective
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lasting forever; eternal.
everlasting future life.
- Antonyms:
- transitory
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lasting or continuing for an indefinitely long time.
the everlasting hills.
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incessant; constantly recurring.
He is plagued by everlasting attacks of influenza.
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wearisome; tedious.
She tired of his everlasting puns.
noun
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eternal duration; eternity.
What is the span of one life compared with the everlasting?
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the Everlasting, God.
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any of various plants that retain their shape or color when dried, as certain composite plants of the genera Helichrysum, Gnaphalium, and Helipterum.
adjective
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never coming to an end; eternal
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lasting for an indefinitely long period
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lasting so long or occurring so often as to become tedious; incessant
I cannot bear her everlasting complaints
noun
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endless duration; eternity
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Also called: everlasting flower. another name for immortelle See also cat's-foot
Synonym Usage
See eternal.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of everlasting
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; see origin at ever, lasting
Explanation
Something that's everlasting is eternal; it lasts forever, or seems like it does. Many anti-war activists dream of everlasting peace. The adjective everlasting can literally mean exactly what it sounds like, but it's frequently used colloquially to exaggerate. You might compliment your friend's speech by saying, "You have my everlasting respect," or describe a lovely day by saying, "It's been like an everlasting dream." In a religious context, the word is used quite literally: "God promises everlasting life."
Vocabulary lists containing everlasting
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.
The Ukrainians, to their everlasting credit, have “largely stabilized” the front lines on the battlefield, as NATO’s top commander said this week.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
He also launched a series of reforms on procurement and air defence capacities but struggled to overcome Ukraine's everlasting mobilisation problems.
From Barron's ● Jul. 16, 2026
The ongoing debate about this critical eight-year period is, I suspect, everlasting.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 11, 2026
"It just left an everlasting sadness that was always there. It would surface every Christmas when he wasn't there."
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
“O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life: Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman...”
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
