Definition

1. Noun:
   • A seemingly endless or immeasurably long period of time: The concept of an infinite duration, often used to describe a wait or experience that feels extremely long.
   • Infinite time; time without beginning or end: The philosophical or theological concept of timelessness or existence beyond the constraints of time.
   • The state of eternal existence, especially after death: In religious contexts, the everlasting life of the soul or existence in an afterlife.
   • (Informal) A very long time: Used hyperbolically to describe a period that feels extremely lengthy.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • It felt like an eternity before the doctor came out with news. (Describes a subjectively very long wait.)
  • Some philosophers ponder the nature of eternity. (Refers to the abstract concept of infinite time.)
  • Many religions promise believers an eternity of peace. (Refers to everlasting life after death.)
  • I haven't seen you in eternity! (Informal, hyperbolic use meaning a very long time.)

Advanced Usage

• "For all eternity" / "To eternity": Forever; for an infinite duration.
  • They promised to love each other for all eternity.
• "From eternity": From a time that has no beginning.
  • Theologians debate whether the universe was created from eternity or in time.
• "An eternity of...": Used to emphasize a vast, seemingly endless amount of something (often negative).
  • The desert stretched before them, an eternity of sand.

Variants and Related Words

• Eternal (adj): Lasting or existing forever; without end.
  • They searched for the secret of eternal youth.
• Eternally (adv): In a way that lasts or exists forever; continually.
  • She is eternally grateful for their help.
• Eternalize (verb, rare): To make eternal; to perpetuate.
  • The poet sought to eternalize the moment in verse.

Synonyms

• Infinity: The state or quality of being infinite; endless time, space, or extent.
• Perpetuity: The state or quality of lasting forever; eternity.
• Timelessness: The quality of not being affected by time; eternal.

Related Phrases

• Sent into eternity: A euphemism for being killed or dying.
  • The soldier was sent into eternity by a single shot.
• Eternity ring: A ring (often with a continuous circle of gems) given as a symbol of lasting love.
  • He gave her an eternity ring on their tenth anniversary.

Related Idioms

• A little bit of eternity: A moment or experience that feels timeless or profoundly significant.
  • Sitting by the ocean at sunset felt like a little bit of eternity.
• Eternity in an hour: From a poem by William Blake, suggesting the infinite can be perceived in a single moment.
  • The beauty of the scene made him feel he could see eternity in an hour.

Noun

1. a seemingly endless time interval (waiting)
2. a state of eternal existence believed in some religions to characterize the afterlife
3. time without end