everlastingly
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌɛvəlˈɑːstɪŋli/
US
- /ˌɛvərlˈæstɪŋli/
Description
- forever
- without end
- constantly
- again and again
To do something everlastingly can mean doing it forever, without end. In that sense, it has a poetic, old-fashioned feel. You might see it in writing about love, faith, memory, or anything meant to last for all time.
But the word is also often used in another way: to mean constantly, repeatedly, or all the time, sometimes with a note of annoyance. Someone might complain that a neighbor is everlastingly playing loud music, or that a machine is everlastingly breaking down. So the word can point either to endless time or to something that keeps happening over and over.
The word everlastingly has two main uses. First, it can describe something continuing forever, eternally, or without end. In this sense, it often appears in poetic, religious, or literary language. A writer may speak of an everlastingly shining light, an everlastingly faithful love, or a truth that remains everlastingly the same. Here the word adds a sense of deep time and solemn feeling.
Second, it can mean constantly, endlessly in repetition, or again and again. This use is often more everyday and may carry irritation or impatience. Someone might say a child is everlastingly asking questions, a door is everlastingly squeaking, or a coworker is everlastingly late. In these cases, the idea is not poetic eternity but something that keeps happening so often that it stands out.
Because of these two meanings, the tone depends on context. In one sentence, the word can sound lofty and full of feeling. In another, it can sound sharp, tired, or mildly humorous. That contrast is part of what makes it interesting. A promise kept everlastingly feels noble, while someone everlastingly complaining feels exhausting.
So when you meet everlastingly, look at the scene around it. If the sentence is about love, faith, beauty, or truth, it probably means forever. If it is about habits, noise, mistakes, or complaints, it probably means constantly or over and over again.
Examples
- 1
Gratitude
I will be everlastingly grateful for everything you did for us.
- 2
Annoyed habit
He's everlastingly complaining about how tired he is.
Usage
everlastingly + verb
constantly, often with an annoyed tone
- 3
Hymn language
In the old hymn, the soul is described as living everlastingly.
Usage
This use is formal or literary.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- everlastinglyadverb