Word
eventual
Phoneticseven·tu·al
US/əˈvɛntʃuəɫ/
UK/ɪvˈɛntʃuːəl/
Definition
adj. happening at the end of a long period of time or a complicated process.
adj. occurring at the end of a process or period of time; often used to describe a result that was expected or inevitable.
Examples
“The team's hard work led to their eventual victory.”
“Despite several setbacks during the trial phase, the researchers remained confident in the eventual success of the drug.”
“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.”
Examples
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.”
Usage
This adjective is non-gradable and almost always appears before the noun it describes.
Teaching tip
This is a major false friend for speakers of Germanic and Romance languages, who often use it to mean 'possible' or 'perhaps'. Emphasize that in English, it implies the event definitely happened or will happen.
Pitfall
The eventual success of the project is possible.
The potential success of the project is possible.
In English, 'eventual' means something will definitely happen at the end. It is a false friend with words in other languages (like 'eventuell') that mean 'possible'.
Real-World Examples
“She advanced to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in Melbourne in January but was beaten by eventual champion Rybakina.” “However, their eventual impact on Egypt and Sudan will depend on what Ethiopia builds and how the facilities are operated.” Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/eventual