Perpetually: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe something that seems to last forever or repeatedly happens without end. Often used in a slightly negative or tiring sense.

• He is perpetually late to meetings.
• She lives in a state of perpetually being stressed.

Used to describe an action or situation that happens again and again over a period of time. It can have a negative implication if it becomes annoying.

• He constantly checks his phone.
• The baby was constantly crying throughout the night.

Used to describe something that happens without any interruptions or pauses.

• The machine runs continuously for 24 hours.
• She has been studying continuously for the past week.

Used to describe something that goes on and on, usually in a way that is annoying or bothersome.

• He talked incessantly about his new project.
• The noise from the construction site went on incessantly.

Used to emphasize a very long period or something that lasts forever. Often used in a more poetic or romantic sense.

• I will be eternally grateful for your help.
• The stars shined eternally in the night sky.

Used in situations where an action or state is continuous and feels never-ending, often used to describe an ongoing issue or persistent state.

• She is perpetually late for meetings
• The machine is perpetually in need of repair

Describes something that happens frequently with brief interruptions rather than one unbroken action. Often refers to repeated events.

• The continual interruptions made it difficult to finish the project
• There are continual updates to the software

Implies something that has no end and often expresses a sense of frustration or exhaustion. Can describe both time and quantity.

• The meeting felt endless
• She has endless enthusiasm for her work

Similar to 'endless', it implies something that goes on forever often carrying a negative or worn-out connotation.

• The unending cycle of work can be exhausting
• His unending complaints made the trip unbearable

Used for things that return or persist yearly or for a long period, particularly in relation to nature or recurring themes.

• The garden is full of perennial flowers
• Corruption is a perennial problem in many countries