eternally

/ɪˈtɜːnəli/ (bre, ipa) · [ɪtˈɚnəli] /ɪˈtɜːrnəli/ (ame, ipa) · [ɪtˈɚnəli] /-ᵊlē How to pronounce eternally (audio) -ᵊli/ (ame, mw)

eternally — adverb

1. for all time, or with a lasting effect that seems as if it will never fade

1.副詞C1
釋義

for all time, or with a lasting effect that seems as if it will never fade

例句

The church bell is eternally linked with the town's war memorial.

be eternally linked with something lasting in memory

Mina said she would be eternally grateful for the surgeon's help.

collocation: be eternally grateful

同義詞
  • forever

    more everyday and conversational, often less literary

  • endlessly

    stresses no visible end, often without the emotional tone of eternally

  • permanently

    sounds more neutral and practical for official or factual contexts

反義詞

文法句型

be eternally grateful

be eternally linked with something

live / remain eternally

用法筆記

Often appears with adjectives such as grateful, faithful, or young, and it can sound literary or strongly emotional. In everyday speech, speakers often use forever instead when the tone is less formal or dramatic.

常見錯誤

❌The cafe is eternally closed for repairs.
✅The cafe is temporarily closed for repairs.
💡eternally does not fit a situation with a planned end.
❌The library closes eternally at six.
✅The library closes at six every day.
💡eternally means forever or for a very long time, not at a repeated daily time.

2. so often and repeatedly that it feels impossible to get away from

2.副詞C1
釋義

so often and repeatedly that it feels impossible to get away from

例句

Our upstairs neighbor is eternally dragging chairs across the floor.

eternally + -ing for repeated irritation

Jules was eternally losing his keys before the morning train.

be eternally + -ing

同義詞
  • constantly

    more neutral and common for something that keeps happening

  • continually

    often suggests repetition over time, sometimes with short breaks

  • always

    broader and less expressive of annoyance

反義詞

文法句型

be eternally late

be eternally doing something

eternally + verb for repeated annoyance

用法筆記

Usually shows annoyance, impatience, or tired humor rather than a literal idea of forever. It often modifies repeated habits, delays, or faults that the speaker notices again and again.

常見錯誤

❌The light stayed eternally on during the storm.
✅The light stayed on continuously during the storm.
💡this sense is about repeated or always-felt behavior, not one single unbroken action.
❌I will eternally remember her kindness.
✅I will remember her kindness forever.
💡when the meaning is for all time, use the lasting sense instead of the repeated one.