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

Arcadia police said that the intersection of Duarte Road and Sunset Boulevard would be closed for an indefinite amount of time as the investigation got underway. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 21 June 2026

As of now, Sony is not doing that, and the coming layoffs would make that essentially impossible for the indefinite future. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Maserati’s iconic sedan remains on indefinite hiatus. —Byron Hurd, The Drive, 18 June 2026

The remaining six Atlas V rockets after that launch are set aside for Boeing Starliner missions, although that spacecraft’s next flight is on an indefinite hold. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 June 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