When something big and important comes to an end, you may hear a lot of people comment that it is the “end of an era”. What does this mean? What kind of situations does it apply to?

How would you use this if you had something that you wanted to talk about? In this post, we will examine the phrase “an end of an era” and discuss when it would be appropriate to talk about it.

End of an Era Meaning

Saying that something is the end of an era is an idiom. While it is used to talk about an actual era, that is not always how it is used.

For example, an era is a long period in time that has a very distinct and special characteristic. It has to be long enough to develop something very peculiar. In addition, it has to be set apart from the periods that come directly before and after it by something that you can point to. That is not easy. Human history has only existed for so long. Having something that is an era is not something that lasts just in your lifetime.

End of an Era Usage: End of an Era in a Sentence

When people say that something is the end of an era, they usually mean that something very important to them is ending. This is usually something that has influenced their lives for the better. It makes them nostalgic to think of all the memories that they made.

Most of the time, it has to do with the people around them. For example, you are much more likely to talk about the end of an era if your friend is getting married rather than if you are moving to a job that just pays the bills but you actually hate.

Examples of Era

Examples of eras include graduating college, leaving a job where one has gained a lot, and any time period that has significant personal meaning and a deep connection with peers. These eras are often defined by the unique experiences and relationships that occur during them and can be marked by significant life changes.

Note that the term is always used as something positive. It is associated with a feeling of nostalgia and sadness, but a lot of optimism and excitement for what comes next. The best way to describe it is a very bittersweet kind of feeling.

Example Sentences

• I know this is the end of an era, but the friendships that we forged throughout these years together will never die!
• Tomorrow is the end of an era, but I know that there are many things that we can each look forward to.
• The end of FRIENDS the TV show was the end of a great era, and we have all learned a lot from seeing the group of 6 friends and following their journey.