indefinitely

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ɪˈndɛfɪnɪtli/ 🇺🇸 /ˌɪˈndɛfənətliː/

📖 Definitions

  1. adverb
    For an unlimited or unspecified period of time; without a definite end or limit.; In a vague or imprecise manner; without clear definition or exactness.; To an unlimited extent; without bound or restriction.

🔗 Details

Word forms

Collocations

postpone indefinitelydelay indefinitelyextend indefinitelycontinue indefinitelysuspend indefinitelyadjourn indefinitely

Derivatives

indefiniteindefiniteness

Synonyms

endlesslyperpetuallyforeverwithout limitopen-endedlyinterminably

Antonyms

temporarilybrieflydefinitely

Commonly confused

endlessly
EN: 'Endlessly' emphasizes no end in sight (often negative connotation of tedium); 'indefinitely' emphasizes no fixed limit or deadline set.
permanently
EN: 'Permanently' means forever with finality; 'indefinitely' means for an unspecified duration that could theoretically end.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember 'indefinitely' retains the 'i' in the second syllable (in-def-i-nite-ly), just like 'definitely'. A common misspelling is 'indefinately'.

💬 Examples

  1. The project has been postponed indefinitely due to lack of funding.

  2. The boundaries of the territory were indefinitely marked on the old map.

  3. The series can be extended indefinitely by adding more terms.