e ‧ ter ‧ nal /ɪˈtɜːn ə l $ -ɜːr-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: Latin aeternus 'eternal' ]
1 . continuing for ever and having no end:
the Christian promise of eternal life
She’s an eternal optimist (=she always expects that good things will happen) .
2 . seeming to continue for ever, especially because of being boring or annoying SYN never-ending :
the eternal arguments between mother and son
3 . eternal truths principles that are always true
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ permanent continuing forever, for a very long time, or for the rest of your life:
She has permanent damage to her eyesight.
|
the search for a permanent solution to the problem
|
They’ve offered her the job on a permanent basis.
▪ lasting continuing for a very long time – used especially when something continues to affect someone or something for a long time:
The experience left a lasting impression on him.
|
Things that happen in early childhood can have a lasting effect on your life.
|
Shelley was to have a lasting influence on him.
|
Is there any hope for a lasting peace in the Middle East?
▪ never-ending continuing so long that you think it will never end – used especially when something needs a lot of effort:
Keeping the house clean is a never-ending battle.
|
It was a never-ending task.
|
The search was never-ending.
▪ perpetual a perpetual state or feeling seems to be there all the time – used especially about something that is very annoying, worrying, or tiring:
For many working mothers, balancing the demands of children and job is a perpetual challenge.
|
The people live in a perpetual state of fear.
▪ everlasting continuing forever – used especially in the following phrases:
Gold is the symbol of everlasting love.
|
He promised them everlasting life.
▪ eternal continuing forever – used especially in the following phrases:
Do you believe in eternal life?
|
the secret of eternal youth
|
She has my eternal gratitude (=I will always be grateful to her) .
|
You’re always the eternal optimist. (=you always think that good things will happen)