Definition of TIMELESS

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

Designed without a collar, and finished with sharp, accentuated shoulders, its clean silhouette felt simultaneously modern and timeless. — Vogue, "Kate Middleton Recycles an Old Favorite for Easter Service," 21 Apr. 2019 As the years pass, Marsai's style continues to evolve, venturing away from the trendy outfits of her childhood and moving towards timeless pieces that are bold, elegant, and full of personality. — Teen Vogue, "Marsai Martin's Red Carpet Style Evolution," 21 Mar. 2019 Well, until today, not much: One is a timeless piece of music, and the other is orange and very, very mean. — Jenny Hollander, Marie Claire, "Richard Marx Called Out Trump and It's The Only Thing in This World Bringing Me Joy," 18 July 2018 Think timeless silhouettes in muted tones and constructed from premium materials. — Esquire, "How to Live Like a (Very Stylish) French Guy for a Day," 3 Apr. 2017 Getty Images 51-year-old Julia Roberts has been a mainstay on our screens since her debut in the 1988 film Satisfaction, and she's proven over and over again that her beauty is timeless. — Maya Allen, Marie Claire, "Julia Roberts' New Tousled Lob Is the Shortest Cut She's Worn in Years," 18 Mar. 2019 El Tovar has been updated since then, but the expansive porches are the same, and the log walls in the lobby and dining room feel timeless. — azcentral, "From climate to fry bread, 125 reasons to love Arizona," 15 May 2015 Celebrities have all had fun recently bringing back flashy archival runway pieces, and Clooney’s look showcases vintage at its most timeless. — Vogue, "Amal Clooney Pulled Out Vintage Couture to Dine at Buckingham Palace," 13 Mar. 2019 Originally inspired by Audrey Hepburn, the style is classic and timeless, just like Meghan. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Here's Why People Are Copying Meghan Markle's Eyebrows," 27 Jan. 2019

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.