indefinite

adjective

in·​def·​i·​nite (ˌ)in-ˈde-fə-nət 

-ˈdef-nət

: not definite: such as

a

: not precise : vague

an indefinite answer

b

: having no exact limits

an indefinite period of time

put on indefinite hold

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 of indefinite

• infinite
• endless

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

The ChatGPT maker announced the decision in a Tuesday blog post, citing two events as drivers of the indefinite training halt. — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 20 Aug. 2026

The inevitable entropy of institutions is itself a strong reason to become better at creating new ones; expecting an indefinite lifetime of high performance is apt to disappoint. — Jennifer Pahlka, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Established in 1987, Panama’s indefinite Pensionado Visa grants permanent residency to foreign nationals who can prove a lifetime monthly income or pension of at least $1,000 a month. — Brittany Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026

Foundations are required to distribute at least 5 percent of their assets annually, a rule created precisely to prevent charitable vehicles from becoming indefinite tax shelters. — Nick Allardice, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026

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