timeless

adjective

time·less | \ˈtīm-ləs

Definition of timeless

1a : not restricted to a particular time or date the timeless themes of love, solitude, joy, and nature — Writer

b : having no beginning or end : eternal

2 : not affected by time : ageless

3 archaic : premature, untimely

Other Words from timeless Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about timeless

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Did You Know?

Time is money. "Time is the great physician." "Time is a dressmaker specializing in alterations." Everyone seems to know what time is, but what does it mean to be "timeless"—that is, "without time"? Until around the turn of the 20th century, timeless was sometimes used to mean "untimely" or "premature," as in "he met his timeless end." That usage, which dates back to the late 16th century, is now considered archaic, but an equally venerable sense, "eternal" or "having no beginning or end," has proven more enduring. The two remaining senses are somewhat newer. The "not restricted to a particular time or date" meaning dates to the mid-18th century, while the most modern meaning—"ageless"—didn't exist until just before the turn of the 20th century. (By the way, the quotations we started with came from Benjamin Franklin, British statesman Benjamin Disraeli, and American writer Faith Baldwin, respectively.)

Examples of timeless in a Sentence

The dresses that she designs are elegant and timeless. the timeless beauty of the sea

Recent Examples on the Web

Handcrafted, American-made, timeless, humble, familial, utilitarian and whimsical, these offerings seemed to be the perfect material incarnation of my notion of holiday spirit, all yummy goodness and light. — Sally Singer, Vogue, "10 Holiday Gifts That Dazzle, Then Largely Disappear," 29 Nov. 2018 And if timeless Wrangler style is your thing, skipping the Rubicon edition for the Sahara model will provide a better daily driving experience. — Tom Voelk, New York Times, "26 Vehicles Played in the Mud. Here’s the Dirt.," 12 July 2018 Sun Buddies remixes timeless styles with new-wave flair. — Tyler Watamanuk, GQ, "Sun Buddies Is the Brand Behind Your Next Pair of Sunglasses," 19 June 2018 Brizo fixtures and Toto toilets also provide lasting quality and timeless style. — Valerie Sweeten, Houston Chronicle, "On the Market/Condo Life: Luxury bathrooms enhance high-rises across Houston," 3 June 2018 Scroll down to shop all of the timeless styles now at select J.Crew stores and jcrew.com! — Kami Phillips, PEOPLE.com, "J.Crew's New Heritage Collection Brings Back the Beloved Rugby Polo and More Classic Styles," 13 Mar. 2018 The hotel's luxurious guestrooms have a timeless style that honour the hotel's position as one of Australia's best. — Town & Country, "These Are the 83 Top Hotels Around the World," 6 Oct. 2016 Make Beirut Your Hub Beirut’s modern seaside glamour comes from its thrumming beach clubs and rooftop bars, while centuries-old souks keep it timeless. — John Gregory-smith, Condé Nast Traveler, "In Lebanon, Let Food Be Your Guide," 16 Oct. 2018 The fashions, the music, and the lack of CGI definitely date The Gate, and yet the picture’s themes are timeless. — Noel Murray, The Verge, "For more kid-friendly horror like The House with a Clock in Its Walls, stream The Gate," 21 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'timeless.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.