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

Synonyms

• bottomless
• boundless
• endless
• fathomless
• horizonless
• illimitable
• immeasurable
• immensurable
• infinite
• limitless
• measureless
• unbounded
• unfathomable
• unlimited

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

Malik’s departure ahead of the band’s fifth and final album was the beginning of the end for the boy band, whose remaining members, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson, released Made in the A.M. and then went on indefinite hiatus. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025

The ruling came in a challenge filed by several refugee resettlement organizations whose lawsuit earlier this month argued that President Donald Trump's indefinite suspension of the U.S. refugee program was unlawful and causing irreparable harm. —Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025

The goal of 'Mars' is not just a race but can be thought of as a shorthand term for much bigger, indefinite objectives for America’s future. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin indefinitus, from in- + definitus definite

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing indefinite

• indefinite article
• indefinite integral
• indefinite pronoun

Rhymes for indefinite

• definite

Kids 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