indefinite
adjective
in·def·i·nite
(ˌ)in-ˈde-fə-nət 
-ˈdef-nət
: not definite: such as
a
: not precise : vague
b
: having no exact limits
c
: typically designating an unidentified, generic, or unfamiliar person or thing
the indefinite articles a and an
indefinite pronouns
indefinite
noun
indefinitely
adverb
indefiniteness
noun
Examples of indefinite in a Sentence
We're stuck here for an indefinite period of time.
Their plans have been put on indefinite hold.
She is indefinite about her plans.
Recent Examples on the Web
There were already 400 UAW members on indefinite furlough in Kokomo even before Monday’s layoffs.
—
Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
There were already 400 UAW members on indefinite furlough in Kokomo even before Monday’s layoffs.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
Thousands of employees have already been fired or placed on indefinite administrative leave.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 6 Apr. 2025
The Justice Department has placed on indefinite paid leave the attorney who argued on behalf of the government on Friday in a lawsuit brought by a Maryland man who was deported to El Salvador in error, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indefinite
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
There were already 400 UAW members on indefinite furlough in Kokomo even before Monday’s layoffs.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
Thousands of employees have already been fired or placed on indefinite administrative leave.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 6 Apr. 2025
The Justice Department has placed on indefinite paid leave the attorney who argued on behalf of the government on Friday in a lawsuit brought by a Maryland man who was deported to El Salvador in error, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indefinite
Cite this Entry
“Indefinite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indefinite. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indefinite
adjective
in·def·i·nite
(ˈ)in-ˈdef-(ə-)nət
1
: not clear or fixed in meaning or details : vague
an indefinite answer
2
: not certain or limited (as in amount or length)
an indefinite period
3
: typically designating a person or thing that is unidentified or cannot be immediately identified
the indefinite articles "a" and "an"
indefinite
noun
indefinitely
adverb
indefiniteness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share