atemporal
|a-tem-po-ral|
/eɪˈtɛmpərəl/
not bound by time
Etymology
'atemporal' originates from combining the prefix 'a-' (from Greek 'a(n)-', meaning 'not' or 'without') and the adjective 'temporal' (from Latin 'temporalis'), where 'tempus' meant 'time'.
'temporal' came from Latin 'temporalis' (from 'tempus'), passed into Old/Middle English as 'temporal', and 'atemporal' was formed in Modern English by prefixing 'a-' to express negation.
Initially it meant 'not temporal' or 'without relation to time'; over time it has retained this core sense and is used to describe things considered timeless or not tied to a specific era.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not limited by or associated with time; timeless.
The sculpture has an atemporal quality that makes it feel relevant across eras.
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Adjective 2
not characteristic of or restricted to any particular historical period; not historically specific.
Her writing is strikingly atemporal, appealing to readers from different generations.
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Last updated: 2025/11/10 06:34