interminable

[ in-tur-muh-nuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. incapable of being terminated; unending:

   an interminable job.

2. monotonously or annoyingly protracted or continued; unceasing; incessant:

   I can't stand that interminable clatter.

3. having no limits:

   an interminable desert.

interminable

/ ɪnˈtɜːmɪnəbəl /

adjective

1. endless or seemingly endless because of monotony or tiresome length

Derived Forms

• inˌterminaˈbility, noun
• inˈterminably, adverb

Other Words From

• in·termi·na·ble·ness in·termi·na·bili·ty noun
• in·termi·na·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of interminable¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English word from Late Latin word interminābilis. See in- ³, terminable

Example Sentences

In the final days of an election season that has felt interminable, he shared a number of them with Salon in a wide-ranging interview.

From Salon

Horses with EIA have that virus mostly for the rest of their life, meaning an interminable quarantine or euthanasia.

From Los Angeles Times

At 38, he had become disillusioned with what he called a “hopeless and interminable” war, one built — as he hoped the public would grasp from the papers — on decades of lies.

From Los Angeles Times

But I was the one alone with the kids day after day, enduring interminable and soul-crushing afternoons on the floor of the playroom.

From Los Angeles Times

Even as they stand in interminable security lines to enter, the attendees have a buoyant air about them.

From Salon

Related Words

• boundless
• continuous
• endless
• eternal
• incessant
• limitless
• long-winded
• never-ending
• perpetual
• protracted