indefinite

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˌɪˈndɛfənət/

📖 Definitions

  1. adjective
    Not clearly defined or determined; vague or imprecise in nature, lacking specific boundaries or limits.; Having no fixed or specified end; lasting for an unknown or unlimited period of time.; Not precise or exact; lacking clearness or sharpness of outline.; In grammar, referring to a word or form that does not specify a particular person, thing, or quantity, such as the indefinite article 'a' or 'an'.; In mathematics, referring to an expression or integral that is not evaluated between specific limits, such as an indefinite integral.; Undecided or unsettled; not yet resolved or concluded.; In botany, referring to a part that is not fixed in number, such as an indefinite number of stamens.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: indefinites Comparative: more indefinite Superlative: most indefinite

Collocations

indefinite articleindefinite pronounindefinite periodindefinite leaveindefinite detentionindefinite integral

Derivatives

indefinitelyindefinitenessindefinite articleindefinite pronoun

Synonyms

vagueuncertainunspecifiedundeterminedopen-endedimprecise

Antonyms

definitespecificcertainprecise

Commonly confused

indecisive
EN: 'Indecisive' describes a person unable to make decisions; 'indefinite' describes something not clearly defined or limited.
indefinitive
EN: 'Indefinitive' is not a standard English word; the correct form is 'indefinite'.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember it is 'indefinite' (ending in -ite), not 'indefiniate' or 'indefinitive'. The suffix is the same as in 'finite' and 'definite'.

💬 Examples

  1. The manager gave an indefinite answer about when the project would be completed.

  2. The strike has been extended for an indefinite period.

  3. The photograph showed only an indefinite shape in the fog.

  4. In English, 'a' and 'an' are called indefinite articles because they do not refer to a specific noun.

  5. The indefinite integral of x squared is x cubed divided by three plus a constant.

  6. The outcome of the negotiations remains indefinite at this stage.

  7. The flower has an indefinite number of stamens, varying from specimen to specimen.