perpetual
pur-PET-choo-ul
/pəˈpɛtʃuəl/
Never ending or changing; occurring repeatedly so as to seem endless.
Often used for things that feel like they will last forever, sometimes with a sense of weariness.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'perpetuus', which literally meant 'going through without interruption'. It shares a root with 'petition' (to seek).
Word relationships
- eternal: Eternal often has a spiritual or religious tone; perpetual is more often used for physical or mechanical processes.
- temporary: Temporary means lasting for a limited time; perpetual means lasting forever.
Commonly confused with
- perennial: Perennial means recurring year after year; perpetual means never stopping at all.
Word family
- perpetuity (noun): A state of lasting forever.
- perpetuate (verb): To make something continue indefinitely.
Collocations
- perpetual motion
- perpetual fear
- perpetual state
Example sentences
- "The inventor claimed to have created a perpetual motion machine, though physics says otherwise." Describing a theoretical machine.
Memory hook
Perpetual sounds like 'per-pet-you-all'—it goes through and pets everyone forever. Through and through, never ending.
When not to use
Don't use it for things that have a clear end date, even if they are long.
Fun facts
- A 'perpetual bond' is a bond with no maturity date; it pays interest forever.
Explore more words
continual, perennial, unceasing, perpetuate, continually, eternal
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