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

Destiny players will get to experience these additions for the indefinite future. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026

In others, early adolescents from the Roj and al-Hawl refugee camps were held in indefinite detention without access to education and rehabilitation. —Amer Matar, The Dial, 26 May 2026

The school recently was granted indefinite degree awarding powers, giving it a similar authority to Oxford and Cambridge in being able to design, award and regulate its own degrees. —Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 25 May 2026

The season was initially set to film in fall 2025 but was put on an indefinite delay. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 19 May 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