everlasting

[ev-er-las-ting, -lah-sting]

adjective

1. lasting forever; eternal.

   everlasting future life.

   Antonyms: transitory

2. lasting or continuing for an indefinitely long time.

   the everlasting hills.

3. incessant; constantly recurring.

   He is plagued by everlasting attacks of influenza.

4. wearisome; tedious.

   She tired of his everlasting puns.

noun

1. eternal duration; eternity.

   What is the span of one life compared with the everlasting?

2. the Everlasting, God.

3. any of various plants that retain their shape or color when dried, as certain composite plants of the genera Helichrysum, Gnaphalium, and Helipterum.

everlasting

/ ˌɛvəˈlɑːstɪŋ /

adjective

1. never coming to an end; eternal

2. lasting for an indefinitely long period

3. lasting so long or occurring so often as to become tedious; incessant

   I cannot bear her everlasting complaints

noun

1. endless duration; eternity

2. Also called: everlasting flower. another name for immortelle See also cat's-foot

Other Word Forms

• everlastingly adverb
• everlastingness noun
• quasi-everlasting adjective
• quasi-everlastingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of everlasting¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; ever, lasting

Synonym Study

See eternal.

Example Sentences

"A child could potentially be blinded, and it could have everlasting effects on their health. We're only here to play football."

From BBC

To my everlasting regret, I didn’t take him up on the invitation.

From Los Angeles Times

The all-ages appeal of the museum is a testament to the everlasting approach of the couple’s narratives, which handle difficult life moments with a fanciful nature, but never hold your hand.

From Los Angeles Times

After all, he and his goon squad, to their everlasting shame, have gone to the ends of the earth to crush free speech, especially any criticism of Israel or the administration’s nefarious deeds writ large.

From Salon

Iranian officials confirmed sites were struck but denied they suffered any major damage and have vowed there would be "everlasting consequences" following the US strikes.

From BBC

Related Words

• abiding 
• eternal 
• immortal 
• lasting 
• perpetual 
• timeless 
• unending