eternally
gb/ɪtˈɚnəli/ us/ɪtˈɚnəli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
property
1
for all time; forever
for ever; never ending
Usage pattern:
[something happens] eternally; eternally [verb/adjective]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with eventually (= at a later time).
Synonyms
forever (More common and less formal.)
|
endlessly (Emphasizes having no end.)
|
perpetually (Slightly more formal; often suggests continuing repeatedly.)
Antonyms
temporarily (Lasting only for a limited time.)
|
briefly (Lasting for a short time.)
Collocations
eternally grateful
|eternally happy
|eternally love
|eternally bound
|eternally faithful
|eternally remembered
|eternally at peace
|eternally blessed
|eternally damned
|eternally yours
Themes
time
|relationships
|religion
Examples
- They believed their souls would live eternally.
- She promised to love him eternally.
- In many traditions, the gods are described as eternally powerful.
Learner examples
- I will remember you eternally.
- They want to be together eternally.
adverb
C1
property
2
very often; all the time
again and again; all the time (often as a complaint)
Usage pattern:
eternally [verb/verb-ing]; eternally [adjective]
Common mistake:
In this sense it is usually hyperbole; it does not literally mean 'forever.'
Synonyms
constantly (More neutral and very common.)
|
always (Less emotional; can be literal or exaggerated.)
|
forever (Common informal exaggeration similar to this use.)
Antonyms
occasionally (Happening sometimes, not often.)
|
rarely (Happening not often.)
Collocations
eternally late
|eternally complaining
|eternally arguing
|eternally forgetting
|eternally tired
|eternally busy
|eternally negative
|eternally searching
|eternally losing
|eternally interrupted
Themes
daily_life
|emotions
|communication
Examples
- He's eternally leaving his dirty dishes in the sink.
- The app is eternally asking me to update.
- They were eternally arguing about money.
Learner examples
- My brother is eternally late.
- This computer is eternally slow.
adverb
formal
C1
property
3
in a timeless, unchanging way
in a way that never changes
Usage pattern:
eternally [adjective]; eternally [verb]
Common mistake:
This use focuses on being always true/unchanged, not on repeated actions.
Synonyms
permanently (Emphasizes lasting without change, less poetic.)
|
timelessly (Often used for art, style, or beauty.)
Antonyms
temporarily (Lasting only for a short period.)
|
changeably (In a way that changes; not fixed.)
Collocations
eternally true
|eternally valid
|eternally relevant
|eternally important
|eternally beautiful
|eternally popular
|eternally iconic
|eternally memorable
|eternally linked
|eternally fixed
Themes
time
|ideas
|art
Examples
- The two ideas are eternally linked in people’s minds.
- Her work speaks to problems that are not eternally fixed.
- The novel asks whether any moral rules are eternally true.
Learner examples
- Some stories feel eternally relevant.
Grammar
Expressions
eternally damned
1/ɪtˈɚnəli dˈæmd/
fixed phrase
literary
condemned forever (religious)
punished forever (in hell)
Examples
- The story warns that the villain will be eternally damned.
- He feared he might be eternally damned for what he had done.
eternally grateful
1/ɪtˈɚnəli ɡɹˈeɪtfəl/
fixed phrase
endlessly thankful
Feeling thankful in a way that will last forever.
Examples
- We are eternally grateful for your generosity.
- He said he would be eternally grateful if she accepted his offer.
eternally grateful
1/ɪtˈɚnəli ɡɹˈeɪtfəl/
fixed phrase
thankful for a long time
very thankful and you will not forget it
Examples
- I’ll be eternally grateful for your support during that time.
- She was eternally grateful to her neighbor for looking after the kids.
eternally yours
1/ɪtˈɚnəli jˈʊɹz/
fixed phrase
formal
sign-off expressing lasting devotion
used at the end of a letter to show deep love
Examples
- Eternally yours, Maria
- He ended the note with, “Eternally yours,” and signed his name.