English

Adjective

for the ages

1. (idiomatic) Especially memorable and noteworthy; deserving to endure for a very long time.
   • 1953 Oct. 28, Westbrook Pegler, "Fair Enough," Palm Beach Post (retrieved 12 Sept 2013):

     The comparison may seem unfair to Churchill now that he is a man for the ages by reason of his glorious bravado when the world, including Hitler, knew that his heart was heavy with dread.

   • 1968 Jan. 23, James J. Kilpatrick, "A Speech For The Evening," Evening Independent (retrieved 12 Sept 2013):

     It wasn't a speech for the ages. It was barely a speech for the evening.

   • 1994 March 14, William A. Henry III, "Theater: Damn Yankees Is Back At Bat," Time (retrieved 12 Sept 2013):

     Centenarian George Abbott's revival with attitude makes a '50s baseball musical one for the ages.

   • 2013 Sept. 6, Jacob Bernstein, "No Sleep for the Wicked," New York Times (retrieved 12 Sept 2013):

     [T]his year’s Fashion Week is turning out to be a weeklong party for the ages, with so many events, hardly anyone can keep them straight.

Usage notes

• Now often used in the expression one for the ages.

Adverb

for the ages

1. (idiomatic) In a manner that produces long-lasting effects; for posterity; for a very long duration.
   • 1916, Elbert Hubbard, "William Shakespeare" in Little Journeys Vol. 1: Good Men and Great:

     Little did Mr. Quiney think, when he wrote that letter, that he was writing for the ages.

   • 1947 Feb. 28, "Quality Endures" (advertisement), Ellensburg Daily Record, p. 3 (retrieved 12 Sept 2013):

     Some men build hastily and quickly so that their work serves only its transient purpose, and is soon forgotten. Others build for the ages.

   • 1968 March 12, John Chamberain, "The People's General Risks His Stars," Evening Independent (retrieved 12 Sept 2013):

     President Franklin Roosevelt loved Camp Pendleton, and decreed that the old ranch house . . . should be preserved for the ages.

   • 2012 Nov. 8, Ty Burr, "Movie Review: ‘Lincoln’ carries the weight of history," Boston Globe (retrieved 12 Sept 2013):

     Day-Lewis lets us see how the war and the presidency have aged Lincoln while teaching him to think for the ages.