# eternal

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ɪˈtɜː.nl̩/ · frequency rank #5,964

## Definitions
1. Lasting forever; unending.
2. Existing outside time; as opposed to sempiternal, existing within time but everlastingly.
3. Constant; perpetual; ceaseless; ever-present.
4. Exceedingly great or bad; used as an intensifier.

## Etymology
From Middle English eternal, from Old French eternal, from Late Latin aeternālis, from Latin aeternus (“eternal”), from aevum (“age”). Displaced native Old English ēċe.

## Easily confused with
- **external** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/eternal-vs-external)
- **ethereal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/eternal-vs-ethereal)
- **eternally** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/eternal-vs-eternally)

## Common misspellings (10)
`eetrnal`, `etenral`, `eteranl`, `eternall`, `eternla`, `eternnal`, `eterrnal`, `etrenal`, `etternal`, `teernal`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/eternal