eternity

[ ih-tur-ni-tee ]

noun

, plural e·ter·ni·ties.

1. infinite time; duration without beginning or end.
2. eternal existence, especially as contrasted with mortal life:

   the eternity of God.

3. Theology. the timeless state into which the soul passes at a person's death.
4. an endless or seemingly endless period of time:

   We had to wait an eternity for the check to arrive.

5. eternities, the truths or realities of life and thought that are regarded as timeless or eternal.

eternity

/ ɪˈtɜːnɪtɪ /

noun

1. endless or infinite time
2. the quality, state, or condition of being eternal
3. usually plural any of the aspects of life and thought that are considered to be timeless, esp timeless and true
4. theol the condition of timeless existence, believed by some to characterize the afterlife
5. a seemingly endless period of time

   an eternity of waiting

Other Words From

• none·terni·ty noun
• pree·terni·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of eternity¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English eternite, from Latin aeternitās; equivalent to eterne + -ity

Example Sentences

“In ‘Nosferatu’ the count is coming to Wisborg explicitly for her,” as a script line where he insists “You have awakened me from an eternity of darkness” makes clear.

From Los Angeles Times

Sara Sharif’s father will be in the “circles of hell for eternity” for what he did to his daughter, a court has heard.

From BBC

Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity,” they said.

From Los Angeles Times

Jones' family said the music producer was "truly one of a kind" and "through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones' heart will beat for eternity".

From BBC

“I would rather sing the ‘Full House’ theme song endlessly on repeat for eternity than allow Trump to come on ‘How Rude, Tanneritos!’

From Los Angeles Times