everlasting

USAGE SUMMARY

'everlasting' is a correct and usable English word.
It is an adjective that means lasting forever, or seemingly forever. You can use it when describing something that never ends or is unchanging. For example, "The bond between parent and child is everlasting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The organic approach is to select species - A. 'Little Carlow', for example - that are disease-resistant Anaphalis, or pearly everlasting, so-called because of the length of time it holds its flowers, is a fairly weedy perennial, but if you have enough space, it makes good ground cover, often visited by butterflies.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The pair go on to spend two hours struggling to catch a glimpse of life's silver lining, only to realise, through the power of dance montages and illegal betting, that they are each other's everlasting treasures.

The Guardian - Film

Some were part of the grain of history and enacted elsewhere without New Labour administrations – notably Scotland and our partners in Europe; while others, including investment in schools and hospitals, were paid for through the private finance initiative, to the everlasting debt of the British taxpayer and generations to come.

The Guardian

Later this quiet-mannered former history teacher who quoted Kipling in his programme notes ("It ain't the individual nor the Army as a whole, it's the everlasting teamwork of every bloomin' soul") tested the media's spelling ability with the comment, "The enormity of this result will reverberate throughout the whole of soccer".

The Guardian - Sport

Universities are hotbeds for all kinds of relationships, from everlasting true love through to awkward one-night stands.

The Guardian

A better waterworks Allo, allo Zapping mosquitoes, and corruption Expanding care Everlasting light Ideas coming down the track Speed is the new stealth In praise of celestial mechanics Teaching old microphones new tricks Harnessing human computation ReprintsThat natural microphone, the human ear, is finely attuned to picking up certain characteristics in a person's voice.

The Economist

This is easier said than done.Thomas Mortensen Christian Aid BogotáHeated argumentsSIR – Although it is true that incandescent traffic lights are inefficient because most of their output is produced as heat, here in Wisconsin the switchover to LED traffic lights has caused a problem ("Everlasting light", June 1st).

The Economist

Letters are welcome via e-mail to [email protected] truth about HellSIR – Your polemic against Hell was humorous only because you excluded important elements of serious Christian thought ("Into everlasting fire", December 22nd).

The Economist

As London has shed its ancient traditions and embraced more fully the shameless pursuit of money, LIFFE has carried the rest of the City with it.In this section Blowing bubbles in Taiwan A capital conundrum Everlasting LIFFE Thaied up in knots Creditable Good debts Special delivery Banking's biggest disaster ReprintsTo this it has wedded a relaxed culture that comes with success.

The Economist

To all this the Infernalists retort that Jesus really did mean everlasting fire; that God's ways of caring for his creatures are not man's; and that alongside God's infinite love burns God's infinite justice, which is just as unconditional.Hell, being based on such appalling vengeance, needed to be hot: as hot as the divine wrath that created it.

The Economist

A better waterworks Allo, allo Zapping mosquitoes, and corruption Expanding care Everlasting light Ideas coming down the track Speed is the new stealth In praise of celestial mechanics Teaching old microphones new tricks Harnessing human computation Reprints Related topics United States United Nations Industrials Sector Transport and logistics IndustriesInsurance is another consideration.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "everlasting", consider the emotional or symbolic weight you want to convey. It's best suited for concepts like love, memories, or spiritual truths, rather than everyday objects.

Common error

Avoid using "everlasting" for things that are merely long-lasting. Using it to describe a product's lifespan, for instance, can sound hyperbolic and unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "everlasting" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that they last forever or for a very long time. According to Ludwig, it's used to describe things that are unending.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "everlasting" is a grammatically sound adjective that denotes something lasting forever or for a very long time. According to Ludwig, it is used to describe things that are unending. Its primary function is to emphasize the enduring quality or permanence of something, often conveying a sense of timelessness or significance. While versatile, it's best used in contexts where permanence is truly emphasized, and it is best to be avoided in casual everyday conversation. Ludwig examples point to its prevalent use in News & Media, followed by Science and Formal & Business, and less frequently in academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Eternal

Focuses on existence outside of time, implying a spiritual or philosophical dimension.

Perpetual

Emphasizes continuous and unending duration.

Unending

Directly negates the concept of an end, highlighting limitlessness.

Timeless

Suggests an existence unaffected by the passage of time.

Infinite

Stresses the lack of boundaries or limits, both in time and scope.

Permanent

Implies a fixed and unchanging state, resistant to alteration.

Durable

Highlights the ability to withstand wear and tear over a long time.

Ageless

Focuses on a quality that does not show the effects of time or aging.

Enduring

Emphasizes the ability to last and remain strong despite challenges.

Sempiternal

A more formal and less common synonym for "everlasting", with a similar meaning of eternal duration.

FAQs

How can I use "everlasting" in a sentence?

You can use "everlasting" to describe something that lasts forever, such as "everlasting love" or "everlasting friendship". It emphasizes the unending nature of the described noun.

What are some words similar to "everlasting"?

Alternatives to "everlasting" include "eternal", "perpetual", and "unending". Each carries a slightly different nuance, but all suggest a lack of an end.

Is it correct to use "everlasting" in a business context?

While "everlasting" is generally suitable, consider whether a more practical term like "durable" or "long-lasting" might be more appropriate depending on what you are describing.

What's the difference between "everlasting" and "eternal"?

"Everlasting" often implies a duration that continues indefinitely into the future, whereas "eternal" suggests existence outside of time altogether. "Eternal" is often used in a religious or philosophical context.