WordGarden.iointerminably
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪntˈɜːmɪnəbli/
US
- /ˈɪntərmɪˌnæbli/
Meanings
Adverb
for a very long time, often in a tedious or seemingly endless way
Beyond the definition
Imagine waiting in line for concert tickets on a scorching summer day. If the line stretches as far as the eye can see and barely moves, you might describe your wait as interminably long. It doesn't necessarily mean it will last forever, but it certainly feels that way!
The word usually describes the way something happens or continues, with no clear end in sight. A politician might speak interminably about their plans, going on for so long that listeners lose patience. A meeting can drag on interminably, and a delay can seem to last interminably when you are tired, bored, or in a hurry. Think of the phrase "it felt like an eternity"—interminably carries that same feeling.
The word interminably describes something that continues for an extremely long time, seemingly without end. It doesn't necessarily mean a situation is infinite, but rather that it feels that way to the person experiencing it. The root comes from the Latin interminabilis, which combines the prefix in- (meaning "not") with terminare (meaning "to limit" or "to end"). So, quite literally, it describes something that "cannot be ended."
You'll most often encounter interminably when describing tedious or frustrating experiences. A train might be delayed interminably, making passengers feel as though they are trapped in an endless wait. A complex legal battle could drag on interminably, causing exhaustion and financial strain for everyone involved.
While interminably is usually used for wearisome or negative situations, it can occasionally appear in literary writing for moments that seem to stretch beyond normal time. A silence might hang interminably in the room, or distant thunder might roll interminably across the hills, making the scene feel tense, strange, or dreamlike.
Ultimately, it is a word that emphasizes the subjective experience of time—how long something feels rather than how long it actually is. So, if you find yourself saying, "This is taking forever!" consider replacing it with interminably for a more sophisticated and evocative description. It adds a touch of literary flair to your observations about the passage of time.
Examples
- 1
Waiting
We waited interminably for the bus in the rain.
- 2
Meeting
The meeting dragged on interminably, and people kept checking the clock.
- Phrasedrag on
continue longer than people want
- 3
Long speech
He spoke interminably about his new project, leaving no time for questions.
- 4
Bureaucracy
The application process can feel interminably slow when every form needs another signature.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- incessantly
- protractedly
- tediously
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- talk interminably
- wait interminably
- drag on interminably
- seem interminably long
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- interminablyadverb