eternity

[ih-tur-ni-tee]

noun

plural

eternities 

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 Word Forms

• noneternity noun
• preeternity 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

He said the "courage and camaraderie displayed in humanity's darkest hour is a flame that shall blaze for eternity - a beacon that honours our past and guides our future".

From BBC

The midterms are only 16 months away, which is both a short time and an eternity.

From Salon

One of the sad realities of our time is that an electorally significant subset of the American population will believe this disgraceful narrative from here to eternity, no matter the evidence.

From Salon

Be all the beautiful things you are and be them without apology, for all eternity.

From Los Angeles Times

Rosales edged double-sided mirror glass with strips of shifting LEDs, which create a reflected illusion of depth cascading into visual eternity.

From Los Angeles Times