in perpetuity
16
7.8
- idiom
- /ɪn pɜːrˈpɛtʃuːɪti/
- Formal
:
en perpetuidad
- The museum decided to keep the artwork on display in perpetuity so that future generations could enjoy it.
- preserve in perpetuity
- land in perpetuity
And if we're just friends in perpetuity, then great, I've made a new friend.
- And if we're just friends in perpetuity, then great, I've made a new friend.
- It's all there for us to see in perpetuity.
- How could I not continually work in perpetuity?
- No more accurate, entitled to rule in perpetuity.
- And I realised I can't work from home in perpetuity.
- The blue light keeps the system going in perpetuity and none of you realize it, none of you, because you know what?
- One of my stipulations was I can exploit my experiences with this cat for entertainment purposes in perpetuity.
- But holding on to those things in perpetuity seems like the least ideal way to have a collection that you appreciate.
- One of the Co founders of Open AI, in an interview he said AI has the ability to create stable dictatorships in perpetuity.
- If there was no dog, he might have let this this foolish owl stay there in perpetuity.
- And that journey that quest is for is, is will always go on and will will continue in perpetuity.
Examples
-
Unless some of this debt is forgiven, they will be paying in perpetuity.
Academic text (2001) -
The leasing plan was to create a permanent fund that would support the Haudenosaunee in perpetuity.
Academic text (2009) -
But holding on to those things in perpetuity seems like the least ideal way to have a collection that you appreciate.
-
I love you in perpetuity.
-
Free annual cancer screening will be made available in perpetuity for all such residents.
Academic text (2006) -
The Trust will ensure the gardens in perpetuity and you will have a yearly income and control of the gardens.
-
And if we're just friends in perpetuity, then great, I've made a new friend.
-
Once purchased, these lands were to be held in trusteeship in perpetuity for the Jewish nation.
Academic text (1996) -
The Butler Center will maintain the Encyclopedia in perpetuity following the end of our grant-funded development phase.
Academic text (2009) -
The three Jamaican free zones provide their corporate occupants with tax-free and duty-free concessions in perpetuity.
Academic text (1998)
Synonyms
218
2.9
Stays the same for all time
104
4.8
For a time with no set end
73
2.3
Without stopping for a very long time
53
5.2
For all time without end
29
4.8
Happening all the time without stopping
12
1.4
A very long time with no end
8
6.8
Always from now on
3
8.9
Continues for all future time
2
7.6
In a way that goes on for a very long time with no end in sight
1
5.6
Continuing to exist or have effect for a long time
1
7.4
In a way that lasts forever
1
5.8
Without stopping for a long time
For a very long time that never ends
For a very long time with no clear end
For a very long time, possibly forever
Antonyms
How Long
- Formal
16
7.8
218
2.9
222
3.2
∞
1.0
414
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
in + perpetuity
The meaning is directly compositional: 'in' (within/for) combined with 'perpetuity' (lasting indefinitely) straightforwardly gives 'for an endless period/forever.' Although the phrase is somewhat formal/legal, its logic is transparent and cross‑linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand it.
Etymology
In perpetuity comes from old legal documents and the Latin word perpetuus, which means 'never ending'. So saying something is kept in perpetuity gives the picture of it lasting 'without end', which is why it means 'forever'.