indefinite

adjective

in·​def·​i·​nite (ˌ)in-ˈde-fə-nət How to pronounce indefinite (audio)
-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 All the residents are under indefinite detention, as no plans have apparently been made to prosecute any of them—imagine if Guantánamo were the size of a city, and its inmates were mostly women and children. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 That has included tumultuous moments, such as Draymond Green’s indefinite suspension for erratic on-court behavior. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 But let these individuals rest in peace, with dignity now, until such a time happens, which is indefinite and may never happen. Justin Gamble, CNN, 9 Feb. 2024 The Devils did not give a reason last week when announcing McLeod and Foote were granted indefinite leaves of absence. CBS News, 30 Jan. 2024 But plans to eventually expand the project are up in the air after the Biden administration last month placed an indefinite pause on approving new LNG projects to review their impacts on the climate. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Feb. 2024 Nurse and cancer survivor Sarah Houston of Birmingham, Alabama, has found her dreams of growing her family through in vitro fertilization on indefinite hold due to a recent Alabama Supreme Court decision. Janet Shamlian, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2024 At the same time, President Biden expects indefinite and increased financial support from Congress for the war effort with no outlined strategy for eventual peace. Joe Rubin, Sacramento Bee, 27 Feb. 2024 The Biden administration has repeatedly stressed that Israel should not maintain an indefinite occupation of Gaza and wants to see the Palestinian Authority assume responsibilities there. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indefinite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin indefinitus, from in- + definitus definite

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of indefinite was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near indefinite

Cite this Entry

“Indefinite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indefinite. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

indefinite

adjective
in·​def·​i·​nite (ˈ)in-ˈdef-(ə-)nət How to pronounce indefinite (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on indefinite

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!