eternal
1 of 2adjective
eter·nal i-ˈtər-nᵊl 
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)
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 slander William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare4
: valid or existing at all times : timeless
eternal verities
eternalize
i-ˈtər-nə-ˌlīz
transitive verb eternally
i-ˈtər-nᵊl-ē
adverb eternalness noun
eternal
2 of 2noun
1
capitalized : god sense 1 —used with the
2
: something eternal
Synonyms
Adjective
- abiding
- ageless
- continuing
- dateless
- enduring
- everlasting
- immortal
- imperishable
- lasting
- ongoing
- perennial
- perpetual
- timeless
- undying
Noun
- Allah
- Almighty
- Author
- Creator
- deity
- Divinity
- Everlasting
- Father
- God
- Godhead
- Jehovah
- King
- Lord
- Maker
- Providence
- Supreme Being
- Yahweh
- Jahveh
- Yahveh
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective the eternal flames of hell in search of eternal wisdom When will his eternal whining stop?
Recent Examples on the Web Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2022 In the second letter from Paul to Timothy in the Bible, Paul speaks of the long path riddled with hardships one takes to secure eternal life. Rachel Fradette, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Aug. 2022 The eternal struggle between our baser instincts and a desire to keep pushing forward, both culturally and technologically remains the beating thematic heart of Weiner’s impressive undertaking. Josh Weiss, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 Since ancient times, the idea of eternal life has captivated the human imagination. Katie Hunt, CNN, 6 Aug. 2022 As an eternal optimist, Karakowsky likes to encourage his team to under promise and over deliver in order to set correct expectations. Jason Bisnoff, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 Under her name, only her birth date is written, a seemingly an intentional gesture towards eternal life. Jenna Kunze, ELLE, 28 July 2022 The biggest, of course, was Zillow’s home-flipping implosion last November—one that caused even eternal growth optimist Cathie Wood to pare her positions in Zillow Z -2.59% Group and Opendoor Technologies. Laura Forman, WSJ, 6 May 2022 Carinne Henderson is an eternal optimist, known for her infectious laugh. Matthew Vantryon, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2022 Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2022 Youth, like hope, seemingly springs eternal at the dawn of a new season. New York Times, 8 Apr. 2022 But hope springs eternal, maybe more so in baseball than anywhere else. John Wilkens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2022 More significantly, if life eternal is to know the only true God, as John 17:3 states, is their salvation at stake? The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 Mar. 2022 Hope wasn’t given much of a chance to spring eternal on Monday for the Diamondbacks. Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2022 Hope springs eternal, though, as the two never confirmed their breakup with an official statement. Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2022 Hope for the success of the alien apocalypse springs eternal. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2021 But just like every team in the NFL, hope springs eternal in Week 1. David Moore, Dallas News, 9 Sep. 2021 See More
Adjective
But more than the guarantee of eternal life, Galadriel wants to protect Middle-earth, which compels her to turn back at the very last second. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2022 In the second letter from Paul to Timothy in the Bible, Paul speaks of the long path riddled with hardships one takes to secure eternal life. Rachel Fradette, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Aug. 2022 The eternal struggle between our baser instincts and a desire to keep pushing forward, both culturally and technologically remains the beating thematic heart of Weiner’s impressive undertaking. Josh Weiss, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 Since ancient times, the idea of eternal life has captivated the human imagination. Katie Hunt, CNN, 6 Aug. 2022 As an eternal optimist, Karakowsky likes to encourage his team to under promise and over deliver in order to set correct expectations. Jason Bisnoff, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 Under her name, only her birth date is written, a seemingly an intentional gesture towards eternal life. Jenna Kunze, ELLE, 28 July 2022 The biggest, of course, was Zillow’s home-flipping implosion last November—one that caused even eternal growth optimist Cathie Wood to pare her positions in Zillow Z -2.59% Group and Opendoor Technologies. Laura Forman, WSJ, 6 May 2022 Carinne Henderson is an eternal optimist, known for her infectious laugh. Matthew Vantryon, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2022 Noun
These ancient seas and islands offer some reassuring glimpse of the eternal. Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2022 Youth, like hope, seemingly springs eternal at the dawn of a new season. New York Times, 8 Apr. 2022 But hope springs eternal, maybe more so in baseball than anywhere else. John Wilkens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2022 More significantly, if life eternal is to know the only true God, as John 17:3 states, is their salvation at stake? The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 Mar. 2022 Hope wasn’t given much of a chance to spring eternal on Monday for the Diamondbacks. Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2022 Hope springs eternal, though, as the two never confirmed their breakup with an official statement. Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2022 Hope for the success of the alien apocalypse springs eternal. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2021 But just like every team in the NFL, hope springs eternal in Week 1. David Moore, Dallas News, 9 Sep. 2021 See More 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
Phrases Containing eternal
Kids Definition
eternal
adjective
eter·nal i-ˈtər-nᵊl
1
: lasting forever : having no beginning and no end
2
: continuing without interruption : seeming to last forever
eternal patience
eternal 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in immortal
having an existence or validity that does not change or diminish a charming fable that presents some eternal truths in a fresh way Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- immortal
- enduring
- continuing
- ongoing
- perpetual
- everlasting
- lasting
- perennial
- abiding
- timeless
- undying
- ageless
- imperishable
- endless
- permanent
- constant
- unchanging
- ceaseless
- changeless
- dateless
- stationary
- unvarying
- stable
- steady
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- obsolete
- archaic
- outworn
- outmoded
- antiquated
- outdated
- dated
- passé
- out-of-date
2
as in endless
lasting forever the quest for some magic potion that promises eternal youth Synonyms & Similar Words
- immortal
- endless
- everlasting
- permanent
- perpetual
- unending
- deathless
- undying
- lasting
- durable
- enduring
- ceaseless
- continuous
- persistent
- timeless
- indestructible
- imperishable
- continual
- indissoluble
- indefeasible
- abiding
- unbroken
- stubborn
- indelible
- steadfast
- continuing
- dateless
- uninterrupted
- indefectible
- unceasing
- unfailing
- incessant
- stable
- standing
- unremitting
- unfaltering
- long-lived
- inexpungible
- steady
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- temporary
- transient
- mortal
- transitory
- impermanent
- ephemeral
- fleeting
- momentary
- evanescent
- passing
- fugitive
- provisional
- fugacious
- interim
- short-lived
- short-term
Eternal
2 of 2noun
as in Lord
the being worshipped as the creator and ruler of the universe spent much time pondering the nature of the Eternal Synonyms & Similar Words
- Lord
- God
- Father
- Everlasting
- Creator
- Divinity
- Almighty
- King
- Godhead
- Yahveh
- Providence
- deity
- Jahveh
- Jehovah
- Yahweh
- Maker
- Allah
- Author
- Supreme Being
Phrases Containing eternal
- living by
- living death
- living down
- living embodiment
- living for
- living fossil
- living in
- living language
- living legend
- living newspaper
- living off
- living on
- living out
- living picture
- living pledge
- living proof
- living quarters
- living rock
- living room
- living standard
- living stone
- living stones
- living through
- living together
- living trust