perpetual
never ending or changing
never ending
In more detail
1. (adjective) continuing forever or for a very long time without stopping
2. (adjective) happening repeatedly again and again
Examples
- 1. The company offers perpetual access to the software once you buy it.
- 2. He is in perpetual motion, always moving around and never staying still.
How to use perpetual
Perpetual describes something that continues indefinitely or recurs constantly, often with a sense of inevitability or weariness. It is more formal and literary than continuous or constant, and frequently appears in philosophical, legal, or poetic contexts. The second sense emphasizes repetition and cyclical nature rather than true infinity.
Common phrases
- perpetual motion
- perpetual state
- perpetual struggle
- in perpetual
- perpetual peace
Synonyms
eternal · endless · infinite · continuous · unending
Opposites
temporary · finite · fleeting
Word family
perpetually (adverb) · perpetuity (noun) · perpetuate (verb)
A common mistake
Learners often use perpetual when they mean perpetrate or confuse it with perpetuate (to cause something to continue), which are different words entirely.
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