# eternal triangle

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/eternal-triangle
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A relationship involving three persons (usually two women and one man or two men and one woman) among whom there are conflicting and competing attachments of a romantic or emotional nature.

## Examples

- Their romance is a messy eternal triangle.
- The novel describes an eternal triangle between two best friends and the woman they both love.
- Caught in a painful eternal triangle, the protagonist struggled to choose between his long-term partner and the person who had recently captured his heart.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.