Origin: 1300-1400 Late Latin interminabilis, from Latin terminare; ➔ TERMINATE
Thesaurus
THESAURUSlarge amount of time►long
continuing for a large amount of time, or for a larger amount of time than usual: The meeting was too long. He is recovering after a long illness.
►lengthy
formal long, and often lasting for longer than you want or expect: Drivers can expect lengthy delays on all roads out of the city.
►long-running
continuing for a long time. Used especially about arguments, battles, events, or performances: He has been involved in a long-running dispute with his neighbor.
►lasting
strong enough or good enough to continue for a long time: They formed a lasting friendship when they were in college.
►prolonged
continuing for a long time, especially longer than expected, or in a way that makes a situation worse: He returned to work after a prolonged absence.
►protracted
formal continuing for a long time, especially an unusually long time: The divorced couple became involved in a protracted battle for custody of their children.
►extended
continuing for a long time. Used especially about visits, trips, vacations, etc. that last longer than was planned: He took an extended break from work after his father died.
►long-winded
continuing for too long. Used about speeches, answers, explanations, etc.: He gave a very long-winded answer to a simple question.
►enduring
continuing for a long time. Used especially about memories, influences, or feelings: The early loss of his mother had an enduring effect on him.
►interminable
formal very long and boring: The time on the bus to camp seemed interminable.
very long and boring: the professor’s interminable lectures► see thesaurus at long1—interminably adverb