infinite

1 of 2

adjective

in·​fi·​nite ˈin-fə-nət How to pronounce infinite (audio)
1
: extending indefinitely : endless
infinite space
2
: immeasurably or inconceivably great or extensive : inexhaustible
infinite patience
3
: subject to no limitation or external determination
4
a
: extending beyond, lying beyond, or being greater than any preassigned finite value however large
infinite number of positive numbers
b
: extending to infinity
infinite plane surface
c
: characterized by an infinite number of elements or terms
an infinite set
an infinite series
infiniteness noun

infinite

2 of 2

noun

: something that is infinite (as in extent, duration, or number)

Examples of infinite in a Sentence

Adjective an infinite series of numbers She has infinite patience when she's dealing with children. There seemed to be an infinite number of possibilities. an infinite variety of choices
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
To get the best results, espresso machines must be nimble, offering both infinite variability and incredible precision. Tom Weijand, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2024 The Infinite Monkey Theorem hypothesizes that, given a typewriter and an infinite amount of time, a monkey could in theory produce the full works of William Shakespeare. David Hodari, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
The Transfiguration gives us an almost Abstract Expressionist all-over space, with six standing figures who seem to levitate into the realms of the infinite. Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024 While making the music, a light bulb went off in LP’s head about her 20-hour workdays and infinite to-do lists. Katie Bain, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for infinite 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English infynyt, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French infinit, borrowed from Latin infīnītus "indefinite, having no limit, endless," from in- in- entry 1 + fīnītus "specific, definite, having bounds or limits" — more at finite

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of infinite was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near infinite

Cite this Entry

“Infinite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infinite. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

infinite

1 of 2 adjective
in·​fi·​nite ˈin-fə-nət How to pronounce infinite (audio)
1
: being without limits of any kind : endless
infinite space
2
: seeming to be without limits : vast
infinite patience
infinite wealth
3
a
: lying or being beyond or being larger than any number no matter how large
the number of positive numbers is infinite
b
: having an infinite number of elements or terms
an infinite set
infinitely adverb

infinite

2 of 2 noun
: something that is infinite (as in number)

More from Merriam-Webster on infinite

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!