eternal

1 of 2

adjective

eter·​nal i-ˈtər-nᵊl How to pronounce eternal (audio)
1
a
: having infinite duration : everlasting
eternal damnation
b
: of or relating to eternity
c
: characterized by abiding fellowship with God
good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?Mark 10:17 (Revised Standard Version)
2
a
: continued without intermission : perpetual
an eternal flame
b
: seemingly endless
eternal delays
3
archaic : infernal
some eternal villain … devised this slanderWilliam Shakespeare
4
: valid or existing at all times : timeless
eternal verities
eternalize transitive verb
eternally adverb
eternalness noun

eternal

2 of 2

noun

1
capitalized : god sense 1
used with the
2
: something eternal

Examples of eternal in a Sentence

Adjective the eternal flames of hell in search of eternal wisdom When will his eternal whining stop? Noun spent much time pondering the nature of the Eternal
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The party had also propagated xenophobic hatred, portrayed the country as eternal victim and distanced Poland from the European Union. Roger Cohen, New York Times, 5 May 2024 Using her clairvoyant powers, Crystal is able to summon Lilith, the goddess of scorned women, who bestowed the gift of eternal life upon Esther. Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for eternal 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eternal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin aeternalis, from Latin aeternus eternal, from aevum age, eternity — more at aye

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of eternal was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near eternal

Cite this Entry

“Eternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eternal. Accessed 12 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

eternal

adjective
eter·​nal
i-ˈtərn-ᵊl
1
: having no beginning and no end : lasting forever
eternal bliss
2
: continuing without interruption
that dog's eternal barking
eternally
-ᵊl-ē
adverb
eternalness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on eternal

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