Perpetual
mediumNeutral toneper-PECH-oo-ul
adjective
Definition
Never ending or changing; occurring repeatedly
Memory hook
PER-PETUAL: A PET that PERPETUALLY wants attention -- never-ending, always going.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The perpetual noise from construction disturbed the residents.”
“She seemed to be in a state of perpetual motion.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The ______ noise from construction disturbed the residents.”
Show answer
perpetual
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Perpetual is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "endless" or "eternal" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "temporary".
Related GRE Words
enduring
Lasting over a period of time; durable
perennial
Lasting for an indefinitely long time; enduring
timeless
Not affected by the passage of time or changes in fashion
transient
Lasting only for a short time; temporary
momentary
Lasting for a very short time; brief
permanent
Lasting or intended to last or remain unchanged indefinitely
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