perpetual
gb/pɚpˈɛt͡ʃuəl/ us/pɚpˈɛt͡ʃuəl/
B2
English
~ 3700
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
Never-ending or continuous
Happening all the time without stopping.
Usage pattern:
[something] is perpetual
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'perpetual' with 'frequent'. 'Perpetual' means it never stops, not just that it happens often.
Synonyms
continuous (Implies ongoing action or state without breaks, similar in meaning but slightly less formal.)
|
everlasting (Emphasizes lasting forever, often with a poetic tone.)
Antonyms
temporary (Implies lasting only for a short time, opposite of ongoing.)
Collocations
perpetual motion
|perpetual cycle
|perpetual darkness
|perpetual conflict
|perpetual change
Themes
time
|nature
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The region is known for its perpetual sunshine.
- She lived in a state of perpetual fear after the incident.
- The two countries have been in perpetual conflict for decades.
- His perpetual lateness annoyed his coworkers.
- They were trapped in a perpetual cycle of debt.
Learner examples
- The city has perpetual noise from traffic.
- We have perpetual rain in winter.
- He is in perpetual trouble at school.
- The machines work in perpetual motion.
- She has a perpetual smile on her face.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
Permanent or unchanging
Lasting forever without changing.
Usage pattern:
[something] is perpetual
Synonyms
permanent (Common and neutral term for something not intended to change.)
Antonyms
temporary (Opposite in meaning: lasting for a short time.)
Collocations
perpetual license
|perpetual contract
|perpetual ownership
Themes
law
|society
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They were granted perpetual rights to the land.
- The university established a fund for the perpetual support of scholarships.
- He holds a perpetual position on the committee.
Learner examples
- We have a perpetual right to use this road.
- She has a perpetual job at the company.
- The museum has a perpetual collection of art.
Grammar
Dictionary form
perpetual
IPA
GB/pɚpˈɛt͡ʃuəl/
US/pɚpˈɛt͡ʃuəl/
Syllables & stress
per - petu - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (per)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: perpetual
Word family
Core family
perpetually
adverb B2
perpetuate
verb C1
Related words
perpetuation
noun
Negative and opposite forms
temporary
adjective A2
Advanced or less common
perpetuity
noun
Expressions
in a perpetual state of [something]
1/ˈɪn ə pɚpˈɛt͡ʃuəl stˈeɪt əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Always in a certain condition
Always being in the same situation or feeling.
Examples
- He is in a perpetual state of confusion.
- The country was in a perpetual state of unrest.
perpetual motion
1/pɚpˈɛt͡ʃuəl mˈoʊʃən/
fixed phrase
Movement that never stops
Movement that goes on forever without needing more power (in theory).
Examples
- Scientists say perpetual motion is impossible under current physical laws.
- The fan seemed like it was in perpetual motion.