Perpetual
/pərˈpɛtʃuəl/
Definitions
Continuing or enduring forever; never-ending or constantly recurring.
/pərˈpɛtʃuəl/
Continuing or lasting for a very long time; happening repeatedly or so often as to seem endless.
The company offers a perpetual warranty on its products.
💡 Simply: Imagine something that just goes on and on, like a song stuck in your head. Perpetual means it's happening all the time, forever, without stopping. Like a kid’s perpetual demand for ice cream.
👶 For kids: Always happening or continuing, like a toy that never stops working!
More Examples
The artist sought to capture a perpetual state of beauty in her paintings.
He felt a perpetual sense of anxiety about his upcoming exams.
How It's Used
"A perpetual lease grants the right to occupy land indefinitely."
"The search for perpetual motion has fascinated scientists for centuries."
"The novel depicted a perpetual struggle between good and evil."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
perpetual motion
Motion of a body that continues forever without any external source of energy.
"Scientists have long sought to create a machine capable of perpetual motion, but it violates the laws of thermodynamics."
From Latin *perpetuus* meaning 'continuous' or 'uninterrupted,' derived from *per* (through, thoroughly) and *petere* (to seek, strive).
Used in legal and philosophical contexts since the 16th century to describe things of unending duration.
Memory tip
Picture a 'pet' (per) that is always with you (petual) – a perpetual companion.