Perpetual: meaning, definitions and examples

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perpetual

 

[ pəˈpɛtʃuəl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

motion

Continuing or lasting for an indefinitely long time. Never ending or changing.

Synonyms

constant, endless, eternal.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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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.

  • He lived in a state of perpetual fear
  • The perpetual motion machine continues to fascinate scientists
eternal

Used to describe something that lasts forever, often in a spiritual or philosophical sense. It has a grand or poetic feel.

  • They believed in eternal love
  • The stars shine with an eternal glow
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.

  • The meeting felt endless
  • There was an endless supply of food at the buffet
constant

Used for something that is unchanging and regular. It can be used in everyday situations and often refers to time or frequency.

  • She needs constant attention
  • The weather has been constant for the past week

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.
Context #2 | Adjective

annoyance

Occurring repeatedly or frequently in an annoying or bothersome way.

Synonyms

constant, incessant, persistent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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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.

  • The couple vowed to be in perpetual love.
  • The perpetual motion machine is an impossible concept.
constant

This word is appropriate when talking about something that happens all the time or very frequently, often used in everyday language.

  • She needs constant care due to her illness.
  • There is a constant flow of traffic on this road.
incessant

Choose this word when describing something that continues without stopping and often in an annoying or negative manner.

  • The incessant noise of the construction woke me up.
  • Her incessant complaints are really frustrating.
persistent

This word is best used for something that continues despite difficulty or opposition, often highlighting determination or repeating situations.

  • His persistent effort led to success.
  • The persistent rain caused flooding in the area.

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.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,321 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.