# timeless

/ˈtaɪmɫəs/ (US) · /tˈaɪmləs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/timeless
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. classic and ageless

adjective · CEFR B2

not affected by changes in fashion or time; always beautiful or useful.

For teachers: unaffected by the passage of time or changes in fashion; possessing a classic quality that remains relevant across generations.

- A plain white shirt is a timeless piece of clothing that never goes out of style.
- The architect's design achieved a timeless elegance by avoiding the fleeting trends of the decade in favour of clean, classical proportions.

### 2. eternal

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary · Formal

lasting forever; having no beginning or end.

For teachers: existing outside of time; eternal or infinite in duration.

- The poet wrote about the timeless beauty of the stars in the night sky.
- The philosopher argued that certain mathematical truths exist in a timeless realm, independent of human discovery or physical reality.

### 3. untimely

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic

happening at the wrong time or too early.

For teachers: occurring at an improper or ill-chosen time; unseasonable.

- The king's timeless death left the country without a clear leader.
- The chronicler lamented the timeless arrival of the winter storms, which destroyed the crops before the harvest could be secured.

Usage: Rarely found in modern prose except when imitating historical styles.

Teaching tip: Modern speakers almost exclusively use 'untimely' for this meaning; 'timeless' in this sense will likely be misunderstood.

## Examples

- That song is truly timeless.
- Her classic style feels timeless because it avoids fleeting fashion trends.
- Shakespeare's exploration of human nature gives his plays a timeless quality that resonates with modern audiences just as it did centuries ago.

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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.