perpetual

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/pərˈpɛtʃuəl/
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Lasting without a fixed end, recurring so steadily that it feels unbroken, and in specialist uses describing repeat-blooming plants or no-expiry financial contracts.
Practice using perpetual in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Her desk was in a state of perpetual disorder.
  • The catalogue marked the plant as perpetual rather than seasonal.
  • A perpetual flowering variety can brighten the border for months.
  • The perpetual interruptions made the meeting impossible.
  • The bank issued a perpetual to strengthen its capital base.

Similar words

repeat-blooming
ceaseless
continuous-flowering
consol
perpetual bond
long-flowering
unremitting
persistent
nonstop
unending

Meanings

Lasting indefinitely

adjective
time
neutral
Lasting without a fixed end, either forever in idea or for as long as the situation continues.

Usage

Use perpetual when the point is no planned ending, not just ordinary durability.

Examples

  • The monks kept a perpetual flame burning in the chapel.
  • The trust granted a perpetual right to use the path.
  • Inventors once dreamed of perpetual motion.
  • A perpetual license lets the software run without renewal.
  • Ancient stories promise perpetual youth to the gods.

Common mistakes

Perpetual is overstated when the end is known or easy to expect.
IncorrectCorrect
The company signed a perpetual contract for six months. The company signed a six-month contract.
Her perpetual visa expired in May. Her temporary visa expired in May.
The lamp gave perpetual light until the battery died. The lamp gave steady light until the battery died.

Similar words

everlasting
endless
unending
permanent
undying
indefinite
eternal

Constantly recurring

adjective
everyday
neutral
Happening again and again, or staying so constant that it feels impossible to escape.

Usage

Use perpetual for problems, noise, habits, or moods that keep returning or never seem to let up.

Examples

  • The perpetual interruptions made the meeting impossible.
  • He wore a perpetual grin, even during bad news.
  • The town seemed trapped under perpetual rain.
  • Her desk was in a state of perpetual disorder.
  • The office printer was a perpetual source of frustration.

Common mistakes

Perpetual does not fit a single event or a rare inconvenience.
IncorrectCorrect
A perpetual visitor came once last summer. An occasional visitor came once last summer.
She is perpetual late. She is perpetually late.
We had a perpetual problem yesterday morning. We had a recurring problem all week.

Similar words

continual
constant
incessant
unremitting
persistent
ceaseless
nonstop

Blooming repeatedly

adjective
horticulture
technical
Blooming repeatedly or almost continuously through a growing season.

Usage

Use perpetual in gardening for plants, especially roses, bred or known for repeat flowering.

Examples

  • The nursery specializes in perpetual roses.
  • Gardeners prized perpetual carnations for their long season.
  • A perpetual flowering variety can brighten the border for months.
  • Unlike once-blooming roses, perpetual roses repeat their flushes.
  • The catalogue marked the plant as perpetual rather than seasonal.

Common mistakes

Perpetual in plant names is about flowering, not simply about living for many years.
IncorrectCorrect
This cactus is perpetual because it survives for decades. This cactus is perennial because it survives for decades.
A perpetual rose blooms once in spring. A once-blooming rose flowers once in spring.
The tree is perpetual because its leaves stay green. The tree is evergreen because its leaves stay green.

Similar words

remontant
repeat-blooming
everblooming
continuous-flowering
long-flowering

No-maturity financial contract

noun
finance
technical
A bond, future, or similar financial contract with no fixed maturity or expiry date.

Usage

Use perpetual as a noun mainly in finance, often for a perpetual bond or perpetual futures contract.

Examples

  • The bank issued a perpetual to strengthen its capital base.
  • Crypto traders often shorten perpetual futures to perpetuals.
  • A perpetual pays coupons without a scheduled maturity.
  • Investors price a perpetual by discounting its expected payments.
  • Unlike a standard futures contract, a perpetual has no expiry date.

Common mistakes

A perpetual is not any long-term investment, and it should not be described with a normal maturity date.
IncorrectCorrect
The perpetual matures next Friday. The futures contract matures next Friday.
She opened a perpetual at her savings bank. She opened a savings account at her bank.
The issuer repaid the principal at the perpetual's maturity. The issuer may call a perpetual, but it has no scheduled maturity.

Similar words

perpetual bond
perpetual future
perpetual contract
consol
perp

Usage

Use perpetual for no fixed end or unfailing recurrence, and keep the finance and gardening senses for their specialist contexts.

Common mistakes

Permanent is substituted for perpetual when the intended idea is constant repetition, and perpetual is overstated when a clear end date exists.

Etymology

From Middle English perpetuel, from Old French, and Latin perpetuus, meaning continuous or uninterrupted. The Latin form is linked with per-, meaning through, and petere, meaning to go toward or seek.

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