What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Eternal vs Esoteric - What's the difference?

eternal | esoteric | Related terms |

Eternal is a related term of esoteric.


As adjectives the difference between eternal and esoteric

is that eternal is lasting forever; unending while esoteric is intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest, or an enlightened inner circle.

eternal

English

Alternative forms

* (chiefly archaic) * (obsolete) * eternall (obsolete)

Adjective

(-)
  • Lasting forever; unending.
  • * John Locke
    • to know whether there were any real being, whose duration has been eternal
  • * Dryden
    • Fires eternal in thy temple shine.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=May 27 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “New Kid On The Block” (season 4, episode 8; originally aired 11/12/1992) , work=The Onion AV Club citation , page= , passage=In a bid to understand the eternal mystery that is woman, Bart goes to the least qualified possible source for advice and counsel: his father, who remarkably seems to have made it to his mid-30s without quite figuring out much of anything. }}
  • (philosophy) existing outside time; as opposed to sempiternal, existing within time but everlastingly
  • (dated) Exceedingly great or bad; used as an intensifier.
    • some eternal villain

    Synonyms

    * permanent, sempiternal, endless, everlasting * (existing outside time) timeless, atemporal

    Antonyms

    * ephemeral * sempiternal

    Derived terms

    * eternal life * eternal recurrence * eternal return * eternal triangle * hope springs eternal

    Anagrams

    * English words suffixed with -al ----

    esoteric

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest, or an enlightened inner circle.
    • ''The writing in this manual is very esoteric ; I need a degree in engineering just to understand it!
  • Having to do with concepts that are highly theoretical and without obvious practical application; often with mystical or religious connotations.
  • Confidential; private.

    • Synonyms

    * (understood only by a chosen few or an enlightened inner circle) arcane, recondite * cerebral * secretive

    Antonyms

    * exoteric

    Related terms

    * esoterica * esoterically * esotericism * esotericist * esoterism

    See also

    * exoterism * metaphysical * occult * paranormal * supernatural * theoretical

    Anagrams

    *