Meaning & use
interminably
Last updated
UK/ɪnˈtɜːmɪnəbli/
US/ɪnˈtɝːmɪnəbli/
Meaning
adverbnot comparable
In a way that seems never to finish, especially in a boring or annoying manner.
Grammar: Goes with verbs like drag on or adjectives like long.
Patterns
- drag on interminably
- interminably long
The speech dragged on interminably.
We waited interminably in the airport.
The film was interminably long.
Common combinations
- drag on interminably
- The meeting dragged on interminably.
- interminably long
- The queue was interminably long.
- talk interminably
- He could talk interminably about trains.
- wait interminably
- We waited interminably for the results.
- interminably slow
- The program was interminably slow.
Synonyms and how they differ
- endlessly
- Endlessly is neutral and may be positive, while interminably nearly always sounds weary.
- incessantly
- Incessantly stresses constant repetition, not length.
- tediously
- Tediously focuses on boredom, while interminably focuses on seeming to never end.
Opposites
brieflyfinitely
Word family
- interminable adjective
- seeming endless and boring
- terminate verb
- to end
- terminal adjective
- relating to an end
- termination noun
- the act of ending
Commonly confused: interminably or indefinitely?
interminably vs indefinitely
Indefinitely means for an unspecified time, without the idea of boredom.
Practice
The lecture went on ____, and half the room fell asleep.
Choose one answer.
Interminably means seeming to never end. The other options describe short or pleasant things, not a tiring lecture.
Make it your own
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