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

When the series went on indefinite hiatus back in 2014, college football fans no longer had that outlet to get them through that last brutal stretch of the offseason before the world's greatest sport returned. —Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026

To control the tension outside, Newark’s mayor issued an indefinite curfew around the facility. —NPR, 1 June 2026

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

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