Perpetual: meaning, definitions and examples
⏳
perpetual
[ pəˈpɛtʃuəl ]
motion
Continuing or lasting for an indefinitely long time. Never ending or changing.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
perpetual |
Used to describe something that never ends or changes. Often has a formal or technical nuance, aligning with the first entry.
|
eternal |
Used to describe something that lasts forever, often in a spiritual or philosophical sense. It has a grand or poetic feel.
|
endless |
Used to describe something that appears to have no end, often emphasizing the feeling of monotony or boredom. It can have a slightly dramatic tone.
|
constant |
Used for something that is unchanging and regular. It can be used in everyday situations and often refers to time or frequency.
|
Examples of usage
- The perpetual motion machine is a hypothetical device that can work indefinitely without an energy source.
- She was mesmerized by the perpetual movement of the waves crashing against the shore.
annoyance
Occurring repeatedly or frequently in an annoying or bothersome way.
Synonyms
constant, incessant, persistent.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
perpetual |
Use this word when referring to something that continues without end, often for a very long time and in a significant or formal context.
|
constant |
This word is appropriate when talking about something that happens all the time or very frequently, often used in everyday language.
|
incessant |
Choose this word when describing something that continues without stopping and often in an annoying or negative manner.
|
persistent |
This word is best used for something that continues despite difficulty or opposition, often highlighting determination or repeating situations.
|
Examples of usage
- His perpetual lateness was starting to irritate his colleagues.
- She was tired of his perpetual complaints about the weather.
Translations
Translations of the word "perpetual" in other languages:
🇵🇹 perpétuo
🇮🇳 सदैव
🇩🇪 ewig
🇮🇩 abadi
🇺🇦 вічний
🇵🇱 wieczny
🇯🇵 永遠の (えいえんの)
🇫🇷 perpétuel
🇪🇸 perpetuo
🇹🇷 ebedi
🇰🇷 영원한 (yeong-wonhan)
🇸🇦 دائم
🇨🇿 věčný
🇸🇰 večný
🇨🇳 永久的 (yǒngjiǔ de)
🇸🇮 večen
🇮🇸 ævarandi
🇰🇿 мәңгі
🇬🇪 მარადიული
🇦🇿 əbədi
🇲🇽 perpetuo
Etymology
The word 'perpetual' comes from the Latin word 'perpetuus', meaning 'continuous' or 'uninterrupted'. The concept of perpetual motion has fascinated inventors and scientists for centuries, leading to many failed attempts to create a machine that can operate indefinitely without an energy source. In modern usage, 'perpetual' is often used to describe something that is continuous, unending, or recurring.