everlasting

¹ev·er·last·ing

adjective \ˌe-vər-ˈlas-tiŋ\

Definition of EVERLASTING

1

: lasting or enduring through all time : eternal

2

a (1) : continuing for a long time or indefinitely (2) : having or being flowers or foliage that retain form or color for a long time when dried

b : tediously persistent <the everlasting sympathy-seeker who demands attention — H. A. Overstreet>

3

: wearing indefinitely <everlasting twill pants>

— ev·er·last·ing·ly \-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

— ev·er·last·ing·ness noun

Examples of EVERLASTING

1. To his everlasting credit, he never once gave in to temptation.
2. <valentines typically express the giver's everlasting love and devotion>

First Known Use of EVERLASTING

13th century

Related to EVERLASTING

Synonyms

ceaseless, dateless, deathless, endless, eternal, immortal, permanent, perpetual, undying, unending

Antonyms

impermanent, mortal, temporary, transient

Related Words

durable, enduring, lasting, long-lived, persistent, stubborn; imperishable, indefeasible, indefectible, indelible, indestructible, indissoluble, inexpungible; timeless; abiding, stable, standing, steadfast, steady, unfailing, unfaltering; continual, continuing, continuous, incessant, unbroken, unceasing, uninterrupted, unremitting

Near Antonyms

ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, fugacious, fugitive, momentary, passing, short-lived, transitory; interim, provisional, short-term

Rhymes with EVERLASTING

central casting, narrowcasting, overcasting

²everlasting

noun

Definition of EVERLASTING

1

: eternity <from everlasting>

2

capitalized : god 1 —used with the

3

a : any of several chiefly composite plants (as cudweed) with flowers that can be dried without loss of form or color — compare pearly everlasting

b : the flower of an everlasting

Examples of EVERLASTING

1. <that special bond that has existed between mother and child from everlasting>
2. <people who believe that the magnificence of the natural world is proof of the existence of the Everlasting>

First Known Use of EVERLASTING

14th century

Related to EVERLASTING

Synonyms

eternity, foreverness, infinity, perpetuity

Related Words

boundlessness, endlessness, interminableness, limitlessness, permanence, permanency, timelessness

Near Antonyms

ephemerality, impermanence, temporariness, transience, transitoriness

everlasting

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of several plants that retain their form and colour when dried and are used in dry bouquets and flower arrangements. Popular everlastings include several species of the aster family, especially the true everlastings, or immortelles, species of the genus Helichrysum, native to North Africa, Crete, and the parts of Asia bordering on the Mediterranean and cultivated in many parts of Europe. One of the best-known everlastings is the strawflower (H. bracteatum) of Australia. Many grasses with showy plumes or spikes are classified as everlastings.