eternity

noun

eter·​ni·​ty i-ˈtər-nə-tē 

plural eternities

1

: the quality or state of being eternal

2

: infinite time

lasting throughout eternity

3

eternities plural : age sense 3b

4

: the state after death : immortality

5

: a seemingly endless or immeasurable time

an eternity of delays

Synonyms of eternity

• perpetuity
• infinity
• foreverness

Examples of eternity in a Sentence

They believed that sinners would spend eternity in hell.

We suffered through an eternity of delays during the lawsuit.

Recent Examples on the Web

Just as Mari and Marie-Lou’s actual time together is short but opens up new inner eternities for both, so is there some kind of temporal voodoo at work on the viewer. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2026

Back in 2024, Kate started wearing another sapphire-and-diamond ring, this one an eternity band reportedly purchased from Cartier. —Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026

For a child facing daily harm, even a short delay can feel like an eternity. —James R Mason, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026

Blue Antiquity was Oscar’s capstone novel, a summation of what my husband believed about life, love, death, and eternity. —Literary Hub, 12 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English eternite, from Middle French eternité, from Latin aeternitat-, aeternitas, from aeternus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for eternity

• fraternity
• maternity
• modernity
• paternity
• confraternity
• taciturnity

Kids Definition

eternity

noun

eter·​ni·​ty i-ˈtər-nət-ē 

plural eternities

1

: the quality or state of being eternal

2

: endless time

3

: the state after death : immortality

4

: time that seems to be endless