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REFERENCE

eventual

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //əˈvɛntʃuəɫ// UK //ɪvˈɛntʃuːəl// even·tu·al Academic

adj. happening at the end of a long period of time or after a series of events. It describes the final result of a process.

adj. occurring at an unspecified future time or as the final result of a sequence of events. Often used to describe a conclusion that feels inevitable despite delays.


SIMPLE

The team's hard work led to their eventual victory.

CONTEXTUAL

Despite several setbacks during the trial phase, the researchers remained confident in the eventual success of the drug.

COMPLEX

While the initial market reaction was volatile, the eventual stabilization of the currency proved that the central bank's intervention had been effective in the long term.

Origin

From event + -ual; compare French éventuel. The third sense is influenced by any of several European languages, including German eventuell, French éventuel, Italian eventuale, Spanish eventual, Swedish eventuell.

Usage

Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun.

Pitfall

the eventual situation in the roomthe current situation in the roomLearners from Romance-language backgrounds often confuse 'eventual' with 'possible' or 'current' due to false friends like 'éventuel' or 'eventual'.

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