perpetually
gb/pɚpˈɛt͡ʃuəli/ us/pɚpˈɛt͡ʃuəli/
B2
English
~ 6900
állandóan, korlátlan ideig, időbeli korlátozás nélkül
B2
1
állandóan
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is perpetually [adjective/verb-ing]
He is perpetually late for meetings, no matter how early they start.
Állandóan elkésik a megbeszélésekről, bármilyen korán kezdődjenek is.
The hallway is perpetually noisy because people keep walking through it.
A folyosó állandóan zajos, mert folyton átjárnak rajta az emberek.
She felt perpetually tired during exam season.
My phone is perpetually running out of battery.
The city seems perpetually busy, even late at night.
Learner examples
He is perpetually late for class.
Állandóan elkésik az óráról.
My sister is perpetually on her phone.
A nővérem állandóan a telefonját nyomkodja.
I am perpetually tired after work.
The shop is perpetually full of people.
Our dog is perpetually hungry.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "perpetually" with "periodically"; however, "periodically" means something happens at intervals, not all the time. Another common mistake is using the adjective form instead of the adverb, e.g. *"He is perpetual late"* instead of "He is perpetually late." Also, avoid using it for one-time events; it is for repeated or ongoing situations.
Meaning
constantly or continuously
Collocations
perpetually late
|perpetually tired
|perpetually busy
|perpetually confused
|perpetually in motion
|perpetually annoyed
Synonyms
constantly (Very close in meaning and register; the most common everyday alternative.)
|
continuously (Suggests something that does not stop at all, slightly more formal/technical.)
|
incessantly (Formal and often negative, suggesting something is annoying because it does not stop.)
Antonyms
occasionally (Describes something that happens only sometimes, not all the time.)
|
sporadically (Formal; means happening at irregular times, the opposite of very frequent or constant.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening again and again, or all the time, without a real stop.
In a way that happens all the time or very often, with little or no break.
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[right/status/condition] exists perpetually
Under the new agreement, the community may use the land perpetually.
Az új megállapodás értelmében a közösség korlátlan ideig használhatja a területet.
These records must be kept perpetually under the company’s data policy.
Ezeket a nyilvántartásokat a vállalat adatkezelési szabályzata szerint korlátlan ideig meg kell őrizni.
The foundation was created so that its funds could support research perpetually.
Certain rights are considered to belong perpetually to every citizen.
In theory, the copyright cannot exist perpetually and must eventually expire.
Learner examples
The land belongs perpetually to the university.
A föld korlátlan ideig az egyetem tulajdonában marad.
This rule applies perpetually and does not end.
Ez a szabály korlátlan ideig érvényes, és nem jár le.
Some people hope their work will live perpetually in history.
The contract says the license continues perpetually.
They want the park to stay open perpetually for the public.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this formal sense in everyday speech where "permanently" or "forever" are more natural. Also, they may think it always has a strong emotional meaning like "eternally," but it is often a dry legal or technical term.
Meaning
for an unlimited time, forever
Collocations
exist perpetually
|apply perpetually
|owned perpetually
|perpetually binding
|held perpetually
Synonyms
permanently (Very close in meaning; more common in everyday English, slightly less strong about lasting literally forever.)
|
eternally (Often emotional or religious; strongly suggests lasting forever in a more poetic way.)
|
indefinitely (Means for an unknown or unlimited time, but not always literally forever; weaker and more practical in tone.)
Antonyms
temporarily (Direct opposite in legal/formal contexts, meaning only for a limited time.)
|
for a limited time (A descriptive phrase that contrasts with the idea of lasting forever.)
Themes
law
|philosophy
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Continuing forever, with no end in time, especially in formal or legal writing.
In a way that continues without any time limit, especially in legal, formal, or abstract contexts.
Grammar
Dictionary form
perpetually
IPA
GB/pɚpˈɛt͡ʃuəli/
US/pɚpˈɛt͡ʃuəli/
Syllables & stress
per - petu - ally (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (per)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: perpetually
- Plural: perpetuallies
Word family
Forms
perpetuallies
noun
Core family
perpetual
adjective B2
Related words
perpetuate
verb C1
perpetuation
noun
Advanced or less common
perpetuity
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.